Fifth-Ranked Eagles Topple Top-Ranked Lee, 3-1
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle women’s soccer team earned one of the biggest wins in program history on Sunday as the fifth-ranked Eagles downed top-ranked and four-time defending national champion Lee, 3-1 in the final game of the Habitat for Humanity Invitational at the Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium. The win marked the Eagles’ first against a top-five opponent and improved their overall record to 4-2 on the year.
The Lady Flames (1-1), who came into Sunday’s contest riding a 21-game win streak, were the first to register a goal, scoring in the 12th minute. Caroline Scales lifted a high ball into the box hoping to connect with one of her teammates, but ERAU netminder Lauren Gallant slipped as she attempted to make a save and the ball sailed over her head and into the net for the Lee goal.
The Eagles came close to matching the Lee effort in the 18th minute when Katherine Ebbs lifted a corner kick into the box. Valerie Obita rose above the Lee defense to get a head on it, but Lee defender Amy Cochran denied Obita’s shot attempt by heading the ball off the line to keep the Lady Flame lead intact.
After knocking on the door, the Eagles were finally able to break through in the 37th minute and the score came as a result of the Eagles’ third corner kick of the game. Once again, Ebbs was on the spot to take the corner and her flighted ball bounced off a couple of players to Allison Schultz on the far post and Schultz passed it into the net to tie the score.
Although they held an 8-3 shot advantage in the first half, the Eagles were unable to find the back of the net again, resulting in a 1-1 deadlock at the halftime.
The start of the second half saw both teams battle for possession. Lee had the first chance to add to its lead, but Ode Fulutudilu’s attempt went wide of the mark, keeping both teams level.
Two minutes after Fulutudilu’s shot, Krizzy Menez won the ball at midfield and got it to Obita on the right side. Obita turned and pushed the ball by her defender and that move, coupled with her speed, allowed the junior race into the box unimpeded. Once inside the box she struck the ball beneath the diving Lee goalkeeper into the lower left corner of the goal to put the Eagles up 2-1.
Their second goal boosted the Eagles confidence and they continued to pressure the Lee defense. That pressure paid off with seven minutes left in the match. Obita’s cross from just outside the penalty box on the right side found Ebbs whose shot was blocked, but the ball fell into the path of Menez on the left. Her initial shot was deflected, but the ball landed at the Menez’s feet once again and she rifled home her fourth goal of the year put the Eagles up 3-1.
Lee went on the offensive to try and get a goal back, but Gallant was up to the challenge, coming off her line to corale dangerous crosses and turn back the Lady Flames’ attempts on frame. Gallant was credited with two saves in 90 minutes of action, while her Lee counterpart, Leah Wilson had one save in the loss.
The Eagles will be back on the road next weekend when they travel to Orange Beach, Ala. for the University of Mobile Tournament. The Blue and Gold will take on No. 20 William Carey on Friday, Sept. 14 and No. 4 Mobile on Saturday, Sept. 15. Both games will be at 5 p.m. CST.