Thanks to a rock-solid defensive effort and a timely first half substitution the Lee men's soccer team shutout Mississippi College, 1-0 on Sunday afternoon to advance to the Gulf South Conference Semifinals on Thursday.

Lee head coach Derek Potteiger subbed in Collin Lewis and Drew Donehoo in the 35^th minute of the match. The tandem made Potteiger looks like a genius as they promptly connect on the match's lone goal in the 41^st minute as Donhoo made a run past a defender and delivered a beautiful cross to the far post to connect with Lewis.

Goalkeeper Sam Keener and the Flame defense made the lead stick as they posted their eighth shutout of the season. Keener recorded five saves and the defensive unit of Sagi Rada, Nick Meijboom and Jeremy Bischoff turned away 13 shots over the course of the 90 minutes.

"I thought our unit as a whole did a nice job of limiting their opportunities," said Keener. "Everyone stayed calm and focused down the stretch and we were able to answer each time they created a scoring opportunity. After missing postseason play last year (due to COVID) we are happy to get back out on the pitch to try and win back-to-back titles."

Lewis enjoys the matchup with Mississippi College as he has scored two goals this season, both coming in 1-0 wins at Mississippi College.

Alejandro Chavarri made one save in the contest. The Choctaw defense, led by GSC Co-Defensive Player of the Year Aurele Chemin, yielded just four shots the entire match.

The Choctaws out shot the Flames, 13-4 and placed five on goal to just one for Mississippi College. The Choctaws also earned four corners and did not concede a corner kick.

"It's always a physical battle in the GSC but especially when it comes to postseason time," said Potteiger. "I thought we responded really well to the physicality of the match. Drew and Collin did a great job of hooking up on the score. Sam and the defensive played really well for us tonight and have been all season long. This unit doesn't give up much and if you want to win in the postseason you have to be able to defend."

The Flames, the No. 4 seed in the GSC at 12-4-1, 7-3-1, will play the No. 8 seed Spring Hill College on Friday in Pensacola. The Badgers stunned the GSC Regular Season Champions, 1-0 in overtime.