Oct. 22, 2008

Story courtesy of Lee Sports Information Department

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Senior Kristina Chase made her first start this season as a forward and reacted with two goals and an assist in leading the second-ranked Lee (Tenn.) women's soccer team to a 5-0 victory over visiting and 10th-ranked Berry (Ga.) College on Tuesday evening (Oct. 21).

Playing what coach Matt Yelton called one of the best matches of the season against the visiting Lady Vikings, the 14-1, 8-0 Lady Flames moved a step closer to another Southern States Athletic Conference title by breaking open a close 1-0 match with two big goals in the first eight minutes of the second half.

In the series against the SSAC rival, Lee moved over the .500 mark for the first time and now holds an 11-10 advantage. The last time the Lady Flames lost to the Lady Vikings was in a 2004 Region XIII playoff match.

Lee broke the ice in the first-half defensive struggle when Chase got past Berry's veteran keeper Vanessa Zimmerman in the 31st minute and scored on a beautiful move from the right side. Chris Christensen, who also enjoyed a big night with two assists and a goal, collected the assist.

The margin remained at 1-0 until freshman Jamie Achten lofted a shot from the top of the box over the head of Zimmerman in the 47th minute to put Lee up 2-0.

Chase struck again in the 54th minute and sealed the deal for Lee. Her header came off a cross and Christensen again tallied the assist. It was Christensen's turn to score a goal in the 75th minute. The unassisted score came on a shot past the keeper.

Savannah Neely put her name in the scorebook with just over three minutes remaining. The speedy junior broke away from the Berry defense and scored on a one-on-one move against keeper Paige Banham.

Lee took 20 shots in the win and put eight on goal. Berry had just seven shots against Lee's rugged defense and three were on target. Keeper Kristi Koudelka posted the shutout with three saves. Lee had eight corner kicks and Berry five.

“There is just something special about playing at home on our own field and to me it just makes a huge difference to be able to come out and play in front of our own fans," said the pleased Yelton.  "Tonight’s win should allow us to be at home for the remainder of the playoffs and hopefully the first round of the national tournament.

“It is hard to single out any one player as we had so many good performances," Yelton added. "Jamie (Achten) and KC (Chase) were a great partnership up front tonight. Considering that is KC’s first game up front in four years, I thought she was fantastic.

“We created a lot of good chances with our play in midfield and Linn (Christensen) and Chris (Christensen) are so good coming forward together on the flank. Jenna (Achten), Sammy (Hare) and Marina (Lima) were excellent in the center of the park, and our defense was rock solid all night.”

Yelton admitted that it is always good to get a win against Berry. "I have such respect for what they have achieved in the history of their program.  Coach Lorenzo (Canilis) is a good friend and he has done a great job with his club this year.  I am fairly certain we will see them again.”

The Lee coach noted, "I think one of the keys to this team’s success is the depth that we have.  Our training sessions have been so good and so competitive all year and that had made a big difference in our ability to put together the season we have.”

The Lady Flames will have very little time to celebrate. Carson-Newman College, a NCAA Division II program, will visit the Lee Soccer Field for a 7 p.m. match on Friday.