Paced by three goals from freshman forward Mark Behan, the Lee University men’s soccer team opened Southern States Athletic Conference play with a one-sided 5-0 victory over Faulkner University.
The Flames wasted little time in showing their superiority in the contest. Freshman Nick Chase, who just returned to the lineup from an early-season injury, scored the first goal at the 1:56 mark. Oneil Crawford delivered the assist.
Behan took over the show for the remainder of the first 45 minutes. In the 28th minute, he tallied on a double assist from Chase and Luidgi Beauzile. Behan’s second goal came on a well-executed assist from Stanley Magwano. The score put Lee completely in control at the half, leading 3-0.
The visiting Eagles tried to battle back early in the second half, but the Flames were determined not to let that happen. In the 74th minute, senior Ivan Heredia destroyed any hopes of a Faulkner comeback when he scored on a header inside the box. Jonathan Moody and Phil Drummond doubled up on the assist.
Behan turned the hat-trick in the 76th minute. Chase, who finished the game with a goal and two assists, delivered the scoring pass. Lee out-shot the visitors 22-3. Coach Henry Moyo’s club had 14 shots on goal and the Eagles only had one shot on target. Keeper Beauzile, who played 84 minutes, had one save. Faulkner’s Jeffery Preston was credited with nine saves.
“It was good to see Beno (Behan) gain confidence and play well for us,” said Moyo. “We moved the ball well and were very patient. We knew it was not going to be a fast-paced game and overall the entire team gave us a good effort.”
Moyo also stressed that it was good to have Chase back in the lineup. “We worked hard in practice all week on finishing when the got the opportunity. Beno and Nick (Chase) stepped up and helped make that possible. It was also good to see Moise (Leonce) stand out on the defensive end. (Chris) Hennessey certainly needs his help back there.”
The Flames entered the game without three starters. “I have to be happy with the outcome when we are missing three of our top players,” added Moyo. “It was good to see some of the younger guys move up and get eight of our reserves some playing time.”
Moyo was the first to admit that things will be much tougher for his Flames on Saturday, when he takes his 2-1-1 and 13th ranked Lee team to Marietta, Ga. for a clash with vastly improved Southern Polytechnic State University. The SSAC battle is scheduled for 5 p.m.