CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Ray Conn Sports Complex in Cleveland, Tennessee played host to a gritty early-season showdown as the Lee University men's soccer team defeated the King University Tornado. The match's lone goal arrived early in the first half when Ansel Ledezma, slipped the ball to the top-right corner. That goal that would prove to be the difference in the 1-0 final.
The opening half began with a flurry of shots from the Flames. In the 3rd minute, Lee's Marcos Garcia threaded a pass to Ledezma, who struck the ball cleanly into the top-right corner
King threatened to score a couple of times bit never came close. Drew Pollard and Thomas Stift each had a couple of chances in the match for Lee but could not score.
The Flames outshot King 17-9 in the contest. Ledezma had four shots with three on goal while Stift and Zane Marsh each had three shots. Charles Carriglitto had five saves in goal.
Coach Derek Potteiger went deep into his bench with 19 guys getting playing time. Eight of the Flames played their first time in from of the Lee fans.
There were a combined 25 fouls in the contest with each team earning four yellow cards.
Coach Derek Potteiger's Thoughts:
"We played deep into the bench today and we knew we would have to this weekend and lots of guys got opportunities. I thought we played well in the first half and good enough that it needed to not just be 1-0. You will make yourself pay if you don't take advantage of your opportunities."
