Three first half goals helped propel the Lee men's soccer team to its seventh straight victory on Friday night over Spring Hill College by a 3-1 final.
Jeremy Bonyaa headed home the first goal off a corner kick from David Perez at the 23:39 mark. Bonyaa, a freshman from Ris-Organis, France notched his first career goal.Â
Exactly nine minutes later (32:39) it was another freshman, Samaan Williams, scoring as he slipped a deflected ball past the Badgers' keeper to put Lee up 2-0. Jose Orellana was credited with the assist and joins Perez for the team lead with six on the year.
Orellana would score the final Lee goal of the half and the match in the 38th minute as he won a 50-50 ball with the goalie and tucked it into the open net to put the Flames up by a commanding 3-0 margin.
The Lee offense dominated the first half of play as it earned eight corners and had seven shots to just three for Spring Hill. For the match the Flames took 11 shots and placed five on target while the Badgers tallied nine shots and put on mark.
Spring Hill would avoid the shutout in the 62nd minute as Ibrahima Ndaw was in the right place at the right time and scored off a rebound from a saved shot.
"I really liked the way we came out and moved the ball," said head coach Paul Furey. Â "We were patient and had a number of corner kicks and opportunities in the first half. The second half we weren't quite as sharp but we got the win and that's the main thing."
Freshman Daniel Hrenko started in net for the Flames and worked the first 45 minutes. Hrenko did not allow a goal and registered three saves. Ryan McGrath played the final 45 minutes and allowed one goal to go along with one save.
Will Carpenter was tagged with the loss for the Badgers. Carpenter earned two saves while allowing the three goals.
"The most important game is the next one and are focus now moves to West Florida on Sunday but I'm really pleased with the way we are playing right now," noted Furey. "We are getting more and more organized in our back line and we are communicating well."
Lee (8-3) will put its seven match winning streak and perfect 3-0 start in league play on the line on Sunday afternoon as they welcome West Florida to town for a 4 p.m. kickoff. The loss drops Spring Hill to 1-7-1 overall and 1-4 in league play.
"What a great night for Kickin It For Kids With Cancer. It's terrific to be a part of what the women's team and (coach) Chris Hennessey are doing and we are proud to be a part of Lee Soccer on nights like this," concluded Furey.
