Coming off its most complete game of the season in a 3-0 blanking of Bellarmine University on Thursday the Lee men's soccer team (2-1-1) will look to keep the momentum going on Tuesday night as it hosts undefeated and 5th-ranked Young Harris College (4-0) at 7 p.m.
It will be the final non-conference tune up before Gulf South Conference competition begins on Saturday.
THE SERIES
The Flames are 3-3 all-time against the Mountain Lions but have dropped the last two meetings, both on the road, against Young Harris. Last season Lee lost 1-0 to YHC.
NEW FACES, BIG IMPACT
Freshman Aidan Moore made the most of his first match on the home pitch as he delivered two goals in the convincing victory over the Knights on Saturday while transfer Palle Jespersen assisted on all three goals. Moore showcased his passion for finding the back of the net as he pumped up the home crowd with an emphatic celebration after each strike.
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Jespersen helped get the Flames going as he sprinted down the right wing and delivered a dart into Owen Keck who knocked it past the keeper for his second goal of the season to get the Flames on board at the 32:06 mark.
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In the second half Moore connected on his first collegiate goal as he flipped in a shot set up off a header from Drew Jackson in the 51st minute. Palle Jespersen delivered a beautiful ball into Jackson to set up the score. Both players were credited with the assist. Junior Matt Chartier dodged a defender to start the run up to Jespersen
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Moore put the sprinkles on the ice cream just five minutes later with a laser shot into the top left corner of the net to make it 3-0 Flames.
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"He (Moore) is just a pure goal scorer," said head coach Derek Potteiger. "You could see the excitement and passion he displayed after that second goal. Palle is a veteran player who knows how to make the right play and put himself in the right position."
DEFENSE…DEFENSE
Goalkeeper Daniel Hrenko and the Lee defense has been very stingy to start the season off. Hrenko, joined by defensive starters, Jake Brown, Samir Williams and Jonah Bryan, boasts two shutouts and a 0.47 goals against average.Â
SLOWING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN LIONS
Young Harris enters the contest a perfect 4-0 after a Mikie Rowe delivered a hat trick to lead his team past Lincoln Memorial, 4-2 on Saturday. Rowe has already tallied eight goals in four matches and ranks second in Division II in goals scored.
Alex Iglesias has posted three shutouts and allowed just two goals on the season manning the net for the Mountain Lions. Iglesias has eight saves and a .800 save percentage.
Young Harris, members of the Peach Belt Conference, has outscored its opponents 16-2 in its first four matches of the season.
RIVAL HAWKS NEXT UPÂ
The Flames will open up GSC play on Saturday night as they host rival Shorter University for a 7 p.m. kickoff from the Lee Soccer Field. Lee won last year's meeting, 2-0 and hold a 10-6-1 all-time mark against the Hawks.
