Playing under hot (90 degree) and muggy conditions on the Lee Soccer Field on Sunday afternoon, visiting University of Montevallo (Ala.) scored on a goal by Romee Contreras in the first overtime (92:43) to give the Falcons a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Lady Flames.
The win improved Montevallo's record to 3-3-2 overall and 2-2-2 in GSC play. Lee slipped to 5-2-1 overall and 2-1. Both of Lee's defeats came in overtime. The Lady Flames will have to regroup quickly as they hit the road for four rugged contests.
They will face Delta State and Mississippi College next weekend before heading to the coast and challenging West Florida and Spring Hill the following week.
"It was a tough loss today. In my opinion we didn't play bad and perhaps did enough to win, but it was three very soft goals that cost us again," said Lee head coach Chris Hennessey. "Credit to Montevallo, they showed a lot of desire the entire 90 minutes."
The Lady Flames jumped on top on freshman Julia Kasset's first goal at the 31:56 mark in the first half. The score was unassisted. The Falcons fought back to tie the contest (1-1) with less than five minutes remaining in the first half (35:21). Allye Darnell not only tallied her first goal of the year but later came back to score and send the game into overtime. Darnell lifted a high shot over the head of Lee keeper Taylor Green from some 30 yards out.
The Lady Flames broke back on top 2-1 when Mia Hollingsworth dribbled around the left side and beat the Falcon keeper with a low and to the right shot. It was Hollingsworth's ninth goal of the year, which also leads the conference with 23 points.
With a victory seeming almost at hand, the Falcons thought differently with just over three minutes remaining (86:54), Darnell tied the contest at two with her second goal of the match. Contreras' goal-winner was a blast from 25 yards out from the left wing.
Lee outshot the visitors 17-11 and had 11 on target. The Falcons placed six shots on frame. Lady Flame's keeper Taylor Green registered three saves and Montevallo's Annie Mason battled for eight important saves.