DAHLONEGA, Ga.- The Lee University men's soccer team used a late first half goal and two goals in the second half to shutout the University of North Georgia soccer team on Thursday evening. The win gives Lee its fourth straight fall season with a win on opening night. 
 
The Flames came out firing with two shots early on in the contest. After a shot that went wide by Shachar Nissim, Marc Ehmann hit the crossbar in the 13^th minute. The Nighthawks of UNG did not attempt a shot until the 28^th minute, but goalkeeper Sam Keener made a nice save to keep the game scoreless. 
 
Lee dialed up the pressure starting in the 30th minute. Eemeli Makela, Eamon McLaughlin, Nathaniel Lewis, and Caio Arantes all had shots that went wide or forced saves over the next several minutes.
 
Finally in the 41^st minute, Siems broke the scoreless tie with a hard shot into the center of the net on a cross from Ehmann to give the Flames the lead right before the break.
 
The Lee Flames scored two goals in eight seconds in the second half. Mattia Balzano chipped one in from close range in the 53^rd minute. Then Makela converted a penalty kick just eight seconds later to make the lead 3-0. The Flames then held UNG to just two more shots the rest of the game to seal the win.
 
Head Coach Derek Potteiger was very pleased with the result. "That was a really solid performance for a first game. There were several things we were looking for internally with the performance and we hit most of them from an execution standpoint. Beyond that we laid down a challenge for the guys in terms of their mentality for the game. Some of that carries over from last year when North Georgia put it to us at our place. The guys responded brilliantly.  We will enjoy this win for the night, but then it's time to refocus and get ready for Emmanuel."
 
The Flames outshot UNG 18-4 with a 9-1 advantage with shots on goal. The Nighthawks had six saves in the loss. Keener saved the only shot on target for Lee.
 
Both teams had two yellow cards in game play and UNG committed 11 fouls to Lee's seven.
 
 The Flames begin the year 1-0 as they open up the home portion of the schedule against the Emmanuel College on Sunday at the Ray Conn Sports Complex. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.