Sports Weekend Wrap-Up
Lee University welcomed the first weekend of October with many exciting athletic match ups. The weekend kicked off with the Flames men's and ladies soccer teams at home in Cleveland, and the ladies volleyball team on the road in Memphis Friday, October 3rd. The weekend ended with the men's and ladies soccer teams back at home, and the ladies golf team playing away in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, October 5th.
The men's golf team started their week early on Monday and Tuesday with a victory in the Cougar Invitational in Columbus, Georgia. The Flames got their first win of the season by beating West Georgia by one stroke, and sophomore golfer Taylor Davis earned a third place overall finish.
The men's golf team has the NCCAA Regional tournament this week, on October 6th and 7th. The Flames are looking to repeat as national champions and this is a big part of their journey.
The men's soccer team began their first of two matches for the weekend with a thrilling overtime match up. The Flames hosted conference rival West Florida and finished in a 0-0 tie after playing 110 minutes.
The men's soccer team responded with a 3-0 win against Spring Hill College Sunday, October 5th. The Flame's had a one goal lead at the half, and added two more in the second half. Flame's sophomore forward Quade Marinell added to the winning effort with a goal and an assist, while Tom Halsall had three saves and earned his third straight shutout.
The women's soccer team began their weekend against the West Florida Argonauts Friday, October 3rd. The Lady Flame's went into halftime down 1-0. Nicole Blanchard made it even early after the break off an assist from Kinsey Cichowitz. The Argonauts scored the game-winner in the 62nd minute and the Lady Flames fell 2-1.
The Lady Flames responded with a 4-0 win at home against Spring Hill College Sunday, October 5th. Nicole Blanchard scored two goals and has a team leading six goals on the season.
The Lady Flame's volleyball team went on the road this weekend. Their first match played was in Memphis, Tennessee against the Buccaneers of the Christian Brothers University on Friday, October 3rd. They lost the match in three straight sets. Freshman Brooke Wilsman led the Flames in kills, recording nine kills for the match. Senior Flame Lauren Williams contributed in the effort by adding seven kills, three digs and six blocks.
After a short rest, the Lady Flame's volleyball team had a match in Jackson, Tennessee against the Union University Bulldogs Saturday, October 4th. The Flames won 3-2 after five sets. After winning the first two sets, the Lady Flames lost the third and fourth and won the last set to get the win. Freshman Brooke Wilsman once again led the Flames with 14 kills on the match. Junior Stephanie Hernandez led the defense with a match high 17 digs.
The men and women's cross-country teams of Lee University participated in the blue race for the Greater Louisville Classic run Saturday, October 4th. The men's team finished 10th while the lady Flames finished 33rd. Harold Smith had the best time for the men's team finishing the 8k with a time of 25:00.95 to place 8th overall. For the Lady Flames Jessica Childers had the best time in the 5k with a final time of 18:54.39, placing 50th overall. The next event for both teams will be the Sand Shark Invitational in Hardeeville, South Carolina on October 28th.
Lady Flame's golf team played in the first of two rounds of the BSC Southern Shootout/NCCAA Regional tournament in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, October 5th. In the BSC phase of the tournament the Flame's trail the University of the Cumberland's by six strokes going into the second and final round of the tournament on Monday, October 6th. However, Lee is 35 strokes ahead of Campbellsville University after the first round, which essentially ensures another NCCAA Region title after the second round on Monday. Senior Madison Alexander led the Flame's shooting a 69 for the round. Alexander's 69 is only one stroke shy of the tournament leader Janet Wright of Centenary College, who ended the round with a 68.
The Flames had a busy weekend in the world of sports with a busy weekend at home. Next weekend the men and women's soccer teams go on the road as well as the volleyball team.
