The men’s and women’s soccer teams took care of business this weekend to finish their regular seasons with positive momentum.
On Friday, Oct. 21, the programs partnered with the Austin Hatcher Foundation for their annual “Kickin’ It For Kids With Cancer” night. Children affected by pediatric cancer walked onto the pitch holding hands with the players as a sign of the programs’ support for the foundation.
When the lights turned on, the Flames and Lady Flames defeated West Alabama, each by a score of 1-0. The Lady Flames’ shutout was their seventh of the season.
The unusual combination of their freshman goalie Josie Taylor and veteran defender Kate Dirske has proven successful this season. Freshman Grace Berry scored the lone goal for the Lady Flames in their victory.
“We just want to play our game and not play frantic … and I think we did that really well today,” Dirske told Lee’s Athletic Communications.
The Flames 1-0 win over West Alabama was electric. Sophomore Ryan Chouyouti from Memphis broke a scoreless tie in the 70th minute, going top-shelf from 30 yards out. The game-winning goal was Chouyouti’s first goal of his career.
“I just wanted to take what the game is giving me,” Chouyouti told Lee’s Athletic Communications postgame.
On Sunday, both teams defeated Alabama-Huntsville 3-1. Though the scores were once again identical, the games were far from it. The Lady Flames jumped on UAH from the start. Juliana Lopes and Ellie Crisler scored in the first half to take a commanding 2-0 lead. They cruised to a 3-1 victory over the Chargers.
The Flames had to grind. Mattia Balzano scored off a Shachar Nassim assist in the ninth minute, and the lead was 1-0 as the first half ended. Early in the second half, Huntsville found the equalizer on a free kick. The momentum had shifted — the opposing bench was loud and its players were energetic.
“Your game, blue. Your game,” rang out from the Lee sidelines.
They began to play their game.
In a span of two game minutes, Shachar Nissim paired his early assist with two goals for the Flames — one off a deflection and one upper-ninety goal. Just like that, the Flames responded to some adversity to put the Chargers away.
Four wins in four chances for the soccer programs at Lee spells a successful weekend. They begin conference tournament play Oct. 30.
