Despite giving up the game-tying goal with just 29 seconds remaining in regulation the Lee men's soccer team showed great resiliency as Ronaldo McDonald scored just 30 seconds into overtime to give the Flames a 3-2 victory over Delta State on Sunday afternoon at the Lee Soccer Field.
Tanner Carter took the ball down the wing and crossed it into the box just seconds into the overtime period, finding McDonald who fired it home for his first goal as a member of the Flames. McDonald punctuated the victory with a flip as his teammates gathered around him to celebrate.
"We just came out and played with intensity in the second half and went down and zip and zap we scored quickly," said McDonald. "I'm not sure what I did after I scored I just know I was so excited to celebrate with my teammates."
The Statesmen forced the improbable extra time when Zachary Breaux ricocheted a shot off the far post and in from 20 yards out with just 29 seconds left in regulation.
"We really played like two different teams out there today," said head coach Derek Potteiger. "We talked at halftime about finishing our chances and came out in the first 10 minutes and played like we are capable off. I certainly liked our response in overtime but we have to find more consistency throughout the match."
Delta State took a 1-0 lead into the intermission thanks to a goal from Mikey Rhodes in the 31st minute. The score was set up off a throw-in from Santiago Mena.Â
Lee responded at the 49:36 mark as Tristan Lyle took a pass from Caden Corrao and beat the keeper one on one for his third goal of the season. Just five minutes later it was Jared McWhorter who blasted a shot from just beyond the box into the top of the net for his team-leading fourth goal of the season to make it, 2-1.
Daniel Hrenko earned the win in goal for the Flames while Matthew Klinck suffered the loss and had two saves for Delta State.
The Flames held a commanding 17-4 advantage in shots and earned six corner kicks while allowing the Statesmen to take three.Â
Lee has now gone to overtime in each of its three Gulf South Conference matches this season. The Flames improve to 6-1-2 on the year and are 2-0-1 in the GSC. The Statesmen fall to 3-4-1 overall and 0-3-1 in conference.
"This league is good from top to bottom. Its the strongest its been since I've been here. So we know that every game is going to be a battle," concluded Potteiger.
That will certainly be the case on Friday evening at the Lee Soccer Field as the Flames welcome No. 6 West Florida to town for a 5 p.m. kickoff.Â
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