Lee Flames Triumph in Thrilling Upset: In a nail-biting showdown lasting 110 minutes plus penalty kicks, the #7 seed Lee University mens soccer team pulled off a stunning upset against #2 seed University of West Alabama on Sunday night.
The Flames and Tigers battled fiercely for 90 minutes, then an extra 20 minutes, resulting in a scoreless draw. Ultimately, the Flames clinched a 4-2 victory in penalty kicks, propelling them to the Gulf South Conference tournament semifinals for the first time since 2021.
Throughout the contest, the Flames dominated the stat line, outshooting UWA 23-7, including 9-2 on goal. Despite their offensive prowess, led by Marc Ehmann and Eamon McLaughlin with six shots each, the Flames couldn’t convert. The first half saw the Flames’ defense holding strong, allowing only one shot and earning two yellow cards against UWA.
The second half brought a shift in momentum as UWA applied pressure, forcing saves from Jakob Buhrkuhl. A pivotal moment occurred in the 68th minute when UWA’s Richard Lopez received a red card, leaving the Tigers a man down for the next 42 minutes. Despite relentless attempts, the Flames couldn’t break the deadlock.
The game ended in a 0-0 tie after regulation, leading to 20 more minutes of play. With no golden goal opportunities due to NCAA rule changes, the match headed to penalty kicks. Ehmann, Ruben dHollosy, Matias Siems, and David Koch secured the Flames’ victory, winning 4-2 in penalties.
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This marked the Flames’ first penalty shootout since 2019, a significant turnaround from their last shootout loss in 2019. Coach Derek Potteiger commended the team’s top-class performance, especially highlighting their defensive resilience. The Flames now set their sights on the semifinal clash against #3 seed University of West Florida, with Coach Potteiger emphasizing an immediate shift of focus to the championship weekend after savoring the triumph.
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