Summer Lanter made the lone shot of overtime count with a game-winning goal 3:35 into the extra period to give the Lee University women’s soccer team a 1-0 victory over No. 17 Mississippi College Sunday afternoon at the Lee Soccer Field.
The Lady Flames improved to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the Gulf South Conference, while the Lady Choctaws (4-1-1, 3-1 GSC) lost for the first time this season.
Riley Engels was credited with the assist after dribbling up the middle and needling a through ball into the left side of the penalty area. Lanter’s first touch was nine yards out where the senior’s cut shot angled back toward the far post and past a diving MC goalkeeper to put an end to the extra period.
“Going into overtime, I felt we were a half-step behind them, so we had to change a couple things in overtime just to give us a little more solidity in the back,” said Lee head coach Chris Hennessey.
“Fortunately, we got the situation we were hoping. Summer and Riley then executed from there.”
Lee took 10 shots in the match and put three of those on target. Mississippi College fired off 11 shots with five put on goal. The Lady Flames held a slim 2-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Haley Gribler stopped all five attempts she faced to record her first shutout of the season. Andrea McDonald tallied two saves in the loss.
“My defenders made my life real easy today,” said Gribler. “I didn’t have to do much. I think trusting each other and being confident in each other, knowing that we just need to communicate and play the ball makes us a better team.”
The Lady Flames remain one of three remaining unbeaten teams in conference play. North Alabama stands at 4-0 and West Florida is 2-0.
Lee begins a four-match road stretch on Friday, Sept. 22, with a trip to Memphis, Tenn., to face Christian Brothers University at 6 p.m. EDT. The Lady Flames then travel to Jackson, Tenn., for another GSC matchup with Union University next Sunday.