Samaan Williams scored both goals in Lee's 2-1 victory over the Choctaws in the GSC Semifinals.
The combination of Samir and Samaan Williams led the Lee men's soccer team to a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over top-seeded Mississippi College on Friday afternoon in the Gulf South Conference Semifinal. It is the first time in program history the Flames will appear in the GSC Championship match.
Samir Williams made a run down the right side in the 98th minute and found his brother Samaan charging into the box at the near post. Samaan slid it past the keeper just inside the post to score his second goal of the match and send the Flames into the title game on Sunday afternoon.
"My emotions are at a all-time high at the moment," said Samaan after the exciting finish.
"It means a lot to get the game winner. I knew my brother was going to win the ball from the outside back because he's just built for those moments. Once he sent the ball into the box I knew I had to get on my horse to get on the end of it. Fortunately I did and it was a terrific feeling."
"I'm am thrilled that Samaan and Samir connected for the game winner. That's their second one in just a few games and I would love to see another one or two before our season is done," said Lee men's head coach Derek Potteiger, now in his third season with the Flames.
Samaan got the Flames on the board first early in the match as he scored in just the 5th minute. Williams beat his defender down the flank and received a beautiful ball from midfielder Riley Indermuehle to set up the score. Williams kept it low and just under the reach of Mississippi College's Alejandro Chavarria to give Lee the early 1-0 advantage.
"This is a great feeling for the program to make it to our first final in the GSC," added Samaan. "It makes it even better to end off our senior season with a chance to put a ring on our fingers."
The Flames would surrender that lead however shooting themselves in the foot. A miscommunication between defender Tanner Carter and keeper Daniel Hrenko led to an own goal at the 26:54 mark to tie things up at 1-1.
From there however the Lee defense dug in and kept the Choctaws from finding the back of the net. Hrenko finished with two saves in the match and the backline trio of Carter, all-conference selection Jonah Bryan and Samir allowed just two shots on goal. Lee out shot Mississippi College, 11-9 and held a 5-2 advantage in shots on target.
"I'm really proud of this group of men that competed today. I thought we played a very good game against top-seeded Mississippi College and though they had some moments I thought we were deserving of the result," said Potteiger. "Beyond that, being able to overcome a tough moment in the own goal and remain committed as a team is a testament to the culture of this group."
Chavarria tallied three saves in the loss for the Choctaws who fall to 9-2-5.
The Flames move to 11-4-4 on the year and will take on the winner of the second semifinal between Alabama Huntsville and West Florida in the GSC Championship on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST.