Box Score

Playing in their seventh overtime match of the season and with a man down, coach Paul Furey's club found a way to post a 2-1 overtime victory over Union University on a cold Lee Soccer Field on Friday evening.

Many athletic teams would have thrown in the towel after the visiting Bulldogs scored in the 87th minute to tie the hard fought battle at 1-1. The tying goal came after Lee's Josh Ball picked up a red card at the 81:38 mark. Playing a man down in the final eight minutes of regulation, the Flames were not about to quit.

Still playing a man down in OT, the regrouped Flames outshot the Bulldogs 6-1. "That's pretty impressive. Our guys can be proud," stated Furey.

Lee was awarded a penalty kick in the final minute of the 10-minute overtime and senior Chevon Roberts stepped up and nailed the kick to give the Flames their seventh win of the year. They are 7-3-4 overall and an even more impressive 6-2-4 in the Gulf South Conference play.

After a scoreless first half, Lee finally broke the scoreless affair when Quade Marinell picked up a loose ball and blasted a hard strike past Union goalkeeper Matt Kesler. "Our midfield controlled the game, so it was only fitting for Quade to have a great strike and Chevy (Roberts) to get the game winner," said the pleased Furey.

The Flames could smell victory until Seth Guiler rolled a free ball past Lee keeper Tom Halsall in the 87th minute.

"Our back line was solid and as I watched the replay of their goal we were just a bit unlucky," said Furey. "The ball just bounced the wrong way and rolled into the corner of the net.

"This was one of those defining moments for us," Furey pointed out. "Our youth could have bowed out in OT, having to play a man down and conceding another late goal. But they showed what they are made of and earned the three points.

"We were happy to get the win for the great crowd we had tonight. They were awesome."

The Flames outshot Union 22-11. Lee had nine shots on goal and the Bulldogs had four. Kesler had six saves in the loss and Halsall had three in the win.

After a day of rest, Lee will jump right back into GSC play on Sunday afternoon, traveling to Alabama-Huntsville for a 4:30 kickoff.