In a very physical matchup Friday evening, the Lee University men’s soccer team dropped their second straight Gulf South Conference game to Auburn University Montgomery 1-0. AUM scored a goal in the first half and then held onto the lead and improved their record to 3-0-3 overall and 2-0-0 in GSC play, while Lee fell to 3-3-1 overall and 0-2-1 in GSC action.
Both teams came out moving the ball up and down the field. Each team had early chances, but both goalkeepers were up to the challenge.
The first big opportunity for the Flames came in the 11th minute. Marcos Garcia led a counter attack and took a shot from the right side, his shot beat the goalkeeper but ricocheted off the left goal post. Fabian Navarro followed the miss with a shot, but it was blocked by AUM.
AUM broke the dead lock in the 25th minute. The goalkeeper, William Blake, blasted a ball down the field, Nicolas Atkinson trapped the ball and dribbled it three times before striking it into the back of the net.
In the second half, there was only one or two more opportunities for the Flames. In the 69th minute, David Koch was fouled in the penalty area and the Flames were awarded a penalty kick, Eamon McLaughlin stepped up and took the shot but was denied by the outstretched foot of Blake to keep the lead at 1-0 in favor of AUM.
The Flames had one more shot in the 87th minute, but a couple Lee shots were blocked and the Flames lost to the Warhawks 1-0.
Both teams attempted 11 shots in the contest. There were a combined 46 fouls in the game as AUM committed 27 and Lee had 19. Five yellow cards were issued with four going to the Warhawks.
The Flames will look to get back on the winning track when they will host the University of. Montevallo on Sunday, September 24 at 3:30 PM at the Ray Conn Sports Complex.