For the first time in nine seasons, the Lee women’s soccer team will have a new leader when they take the pitch at St. Petersburg, Fla. this evening against Eckerd College. Lee Hughes will make his debut as the head coach of the Lady Flames. His team will face an Eckerd team take finished 2023 with a 10-7-2 mark.
Coach Hughes, who was an assistant at the University of Texas last season, says he has a great group of girls to work with. “It’s definitely a process, but as a staff we are excited to see some players that we didn’t get to see in preseason and continue the process of discovering who we are as a team.”
The Lady Flames posted a 16-1-4 record last year.
Their only heart-breaking defeat came to Florida Tech in the DII National Tournament. The Panthers reached the Final Four before falling. The Lady Flames play four tough preconference games (three on the road). They will play their first home game on Sept. 12, hosting Lenoir-Ryne (N.C.).
Coach Hughes points out, “This is a close group of girls, which is great to see. The more together/connected we can be, the stronger the group will be, so this is the biggest area on which we will focus. Tactically, we will be working daily to improve every area of our game. It is a process, but our hope is that we are getting better at the end of the year just as much as we have at the start of the year.”
Coach Hughes added, “It is definitely an exciting way to start a season. You always want to play good opponents and if we can use this as an opportunity to get closer as a team, and build stronger relationships, which is a great thing.”
The Lady Flames will face an Eckerd club that has six seniors and five juniors returning but lost a veteran goalkeeper. On the second leg of the trip, they will challenge aUniversity of Tampa team that encountered problems putting points on board last year, scoring only 13 goals in 16 games in posting a 5-5-6 record. However, Lee will get a look at the Spartans before Saturday’s meeting. Tampa hosts GSC member Christian Brothers University tonight.
“We tend to keep all the focus on us when we prepare for games,” said the Lee coach. “So, no matter the opponent our preparation is consistent. We are going to control the things that we can control and execute them to the highest level. But I am excited for the team to face two good Florida teams, honestly!
“Getting two wins would be awesome! Taking positive steps along our journey is the goal. That means trying to live out our values. Specifically, getting closer as a group of people, improving as a footballing team, and staying healthy,” Lee’s first-year coach stressed in closing.