LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The 2016 season ended for the Lee men's soccer team on Tuesday night when they dropped a 3-1 decision to host West Alabama in the opening round of the Gulf South Conference Tournament.
The Flames completed the season with a 9-7-1 record, while West Alabama will take a 10-6-2 mark into the semifinal round of the GSC tournament on Friday evening.
"It's been a couple of tough defeats for our club over the past two weeks," stated coach Paul Furey. "I have been blessed to work with these guys this season. The season didn't go quite the way we wanted, but this was a great group to coach.
"Always a tough way to end for the seniors, but the four of them had a terrific career and can be proud of all their achievements."
The Tigers quickly moved out to a 1-0 lead with less than five minutes gone off the scoreboard clock on Clay Green's first goal of the season.
The margin remained the same at the halftime break, and it was 45 minutes dominated by the West Alabama defense. While the host club was taking seven shots and placing four on goal in the first 45, Lee managed to get off just one shot. The Tigers handed the Flames a 2-1 defeat back on Oct. 14.
West Alabama struck early again in the second half. Liam Ireland got the goal in the 50th minute on an assist by the ever-present Green. In fact it was Green who knocked in a header for his second goal of the night in the 57
th minute to give the Tigers a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Flames fought back and cut the lead to 3-1 in the 60
th minute when Quade Marinell tallied on a loose ball off a corner kick. It was the senior's sixth goal of the year. Tanner Carter picked up the assist.
The final stats show the Tigers firing 17 shots and placing eight on target. Lee keeper Daniel Hrenko registered five saves against the attacking West Alabama club. The Flames were able to record seven shots over the 90 minute game and had three on goal. Tiger goalkeeper Brad Louis was credited with three saves.
