CLEVELAND, Tenn.- The Lee University men's soccer team scored the opening goal against Emmanuel College just 89 seconds into the contest and then never looked back on the way to a 3-0 shutout win on Sunday afternoon.
Sagi Rada took a cross from Noah Stein a slotted it into the back of the net to score the opening goal just over a minute into the contest. The Flames continued to dominate the game and possession as Emmanuel could not find any offense. In the 11
th minute, Marc Ehmann took a shot from long range that forced a tough save from the Emmanuel goalkeeper.
Lee continued to build the pressure as the Flames had nine shots with six on target in the first half while the Lions did not have any. Lee was called for offsides four times as well in the first half.
Shachar Nissim tallied his first goal of the season in the 50
th minute of the game to make it 2-0. Nissim was on the receiving end of a pass from Matias Siems and Fabian Navarro to score the goal. The third and final goal for the Flames came in the 69
th minute as Caio Arantes went on a fast break and beat the keeper one on one before finding the bottom corner of the goal to make it 3-0.
Head Coach Derek Potteiger was very proud with the second half effort. "We could have easily been discouraged with the score at the break with as much possession and chances we had but it is a game of attrition. If we keep playing our pace then things just open up."
The Lee Flames defense pitched it second straight shutout. The Flames did not allow a shot by the Lions until the 64
th minute and then held Emmanuel to three total shots with none on goal.
Lee has scored six goals in two games with six different players scoring. Four different Flames have assists with Navarro notching two in the opening weekend. "Whether its young players or even new players, the depth is great at every level," noted Potteiger.
The Flames begin the year 2-0 as they will play Carson-Newman University at the Ray Conn Sports Complex on Saturday evening. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
