CLEVELAND, Tenn.- The Lee University men's soccer team fought back and earned a draw with the University of West Florida on Friday evening. The Argos took the early lead before the Flames fought back with Eemeli Makela scoring the equalizer on a penalty kick. IT was the second tie of the season for the flames and the third for UWF. Lee's record improved to 6-2-2 overall and 4-2-1 in Gulf South Conference play while UWF went to 6-2-3 overall and 4-0-3 in GSC play
 
The Flames had the first attempt of the game when Caio Arantes took a shot in the second minute and forced a save from UWF. The Argos then struck first when Kainan Dos Santos took a through pass from Fynn Geigle a beat Roel Martinez in the fourth minute.
 
Makela had two free kicks that were saved by UWF in the first half. Martinez had two more big saves for the Flames to keep it 1-0 at the halftime intermission.
In the second half, the Flames turned up the pressure with a couple of quick shots. Mattia Balzano had a header that went just wide on a corner kick. Then Makela had a long range shot that went high. 
 
In the 53^rd minute, Makela sent a pass over the top to Fabian Navarro who was streaking towards the goal. Navarro was taken down in the box and Lee was awarded a penalty kick. Makela calmly converted the penalty kick at tied the game at 1-1.
 
After the equalizer, neither team was able to get really create any chances until the 80^th minute when Dos Santos hit the post for the Argos. Shachar Nissim and Marc Ehmann each had shots that did not make it on frame in the last ten minutes. Martinez had to punch away a shot in the last three seconds of the game to keep the game level.
 
It was a very evenly played match. Both teams had double digit shots in the game. UWF had 12 and Lee had 11, UWF outpaced the Flames with six shots on goal while Lee had four. Both teams had four corner kicks in the matchup. Martinez ended up with five saves for the Flames.
 
Haed Coach Derek Potteiger saw a lot of positive things in the tie. "We definitely learned some things tonight. We need to continue to work on not conceding soft goals. But we had a huge bounce back in the second half.  It was another big performance from Eemeli. It was good to get Shachar Nissism and Sagi Rada back out there. Tonight was just another chapter in the narrative of the season. 
 
Five yellow cards were issued in the contest with the Flames earning four. The Argos committed 16 fouls in the contest while Lee had 15. 
 
The Flames will continue at home and take on Spring Hill College on Sunday, October 9 at 3 PM at the Ray Conn Sports Complex.