Friday Features: Lanter Sisters Continue Lee’s Winning Tradition
By Chris Megginson
Sisters have played a prominent role in the Lee University women’s soccer program the last 20 years. And with each set of sisters on a Lady Flames’ roster, a historical postseason moment seems to follow.
Such was the case in 2017 as
Summer and Anna Lanter helped lead sixth-ranked Lee University (17-4-2) to its first win in the NCAA Division II National Championships, 2-0 over Florida Tech on Nov. 10. The historic season continued with Summer scoring a game-tying goal to force penalty kicks and advance in Round 2, but came to an end, losing to West Florida in a PK shootout in the Sweet 16 of the national tournament.
“We were thankful that we got to be part of making history and we hope that our success and everything else, helps recruit the kind of people and players that will continue to make a legacy for the program,” Summer said.
For the Lanter sisters, their legacy at Lee began in 2009 when their sister Clair signed to play for former Lee head coach Matt Yelton, who was also her club coach. Clair helped guide Lee to three-straight NAIA National Championships during her four year career as a defender for the Lady Flames. The three titles were part of four-in-a-row from 2008 to 2011 – something that had never been done in Lee history or NAIA history.
“I had a wonderful four years at Lee,” Clair said. “I will never forget how special it was each time we won nationals. To accomplish a goal with a group of individuals you love is truly a remarkable feeling, and I was blessed to be able to experience it three times.”
That experience and the family atmosphere of her team is what attracted Summer to follow her sister and play for Coach Yelton in 2013, despite not originally wanting to follow in Clair’s footsteps.
“After visiting many different universities, including Lee, I decided that Lee was where I was going to feel the most at home. Once I was on campus I quickly found out it was awesome following in Clair’s footsteps because everyone loved her. Even though she was gone when I came to school, being her sister made me feel like the cool kid on campus,” Summer said.
“It really is like a family. There are no cliques. The environment I saw my sister get to be a part of, I wanted to be a part of that atmosphere of encouraging friends and successful soccer.” Summer said.
Anna had similar reservations as Summer about following in her sisters’ path at Lee.
“I was always hesitant to follow my siblings because I have always been known as either Clair's or Summer’s little sister. All the (Lee) girls were so great and I was impressed that they prayed together and for each other. That's what sealed the deal for me,” Anna told Lee University’s sports information staff earlier this year.
While Anna knew for a while she’d likely end up at Lee, the opportunity for two of the sisters to play on the same roster was never expected. Summer’s career began a year after Clair’s began, and it was scheduled to end a year before Anna’s freshman year in 2017. However, Summer redshirted as a sophomore in 2014, which set up the opportunity for Summer and Anna to play together in 2017.
The sisters had a season to remember for the Lady Flames.
Not only did they go farther than any other Lee team in their short NCAA Division II history, but they claimed their first Gulf South Conference regular season title, going 12-2 in conference play. On Nov. 5, the pair teamed up to give Lee a 1-0 victory over Mississippi College to win the program’s first GSC Tournament Championship. Anna’s shot in the 21
st minute deflected off the Mississippi College goalkeeper, and Summer finished it for the game-winning goal.
Summer was named the GSC Championship MVP and went on to finish the season with 20 goals and two assists to repeat as GSC Player of the Year (co-player in 2016) and was named the D2CCA South Region Player of the Year. She tallied 56 goals and 10 assists for her career. Anna was a starter on a Lee defense that shut out 11 opponents. Her game-winning assist in the GSC Championship Game was her only assist of the season.
Summer said playing with her sister for a year makes it even more special.
“To be able to play with her one season is really special, because we hadn’t ever done it before,” Summer said. “We got a lot closer as sisters in general because we were competing for a common goal … You could see that she was really working because she wanted it for my sake. It was a lot of fun to see her grow this season.”
Parents Greg and Jena Lanter have enjoyed having three of their four daughters play for the Lady Flames.
“Our daughters worked extremely hard and we sought excellent instruction,” Jenna said “They all have very competitive personalities and good work rates so they improved quickly. We were fortunate that they gravitated to different positions on the field and didn’t feel pressure to out play their sisters. They share a common bond and similar experiences and that has made them very close.”
“As parents, it has been a fantastic ride and wonderful to watch,” Greg said. “We have witnessed hard losses with teary finishes, and “over the top” happy victories with fantastic teammates. There have been many “glory” moments with each daughter.
The Lanters look forward to following the remainder of the family’s story with Lee through Anna’s next three seasons.
Clair, Summer and Anna Lanter are the seventh group of sisters to play women’s soccer at Lee University since 1998. The others are Melissa and Daisy Kauffman (1998-2002); Janaina and Luana Novaes (2004-2008); Rachel and Kristine Tuck (2006-2010); Jenna and Jamie Achten (2006-2011); Linn, Christiane and Benedicte Christensen (2006-2010); and Chelsea and Ali Eisnaugles (2007-2013).
George Starr of Lee University contributed to this story.
Follow Megginson on Twitter @jcmeggs. Email comments to megginsonjc@gmail.com.
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