CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) men's soccer team wrestled away an exciting 2-1 Gulf South Conference (GSC) victory from the Lee University Flames on Sunday afternoon at Lee Soccer Field.
The Badgers and the Flames (6-3-2, 2-2-1 GSC) found themselves scoreless at the intermission as Lee outshot SHC 4-2, but the sides were even on corner kicks at two chances apiece.
Both teams started the second period being much more aggressive with their offensive pressure. In the 65
th minute, senior forward
Alex Lipinski of Krefeld, Germany, broke the scoring drought by punching in a penalty kick after the Flames dragged him down in the box while on the attack.
In the 69
th minute, junior midfielder
Timo Schabetsberger from Gurten, Austria, gave the Badgers what would turn out to be a much needed two-goal cushion by placing a free kick into the dead center of the top drawer over the Lee keeper's reach.
Tristan Lyle of the Flames added a penalty kick goal in the 82
nd minute to make the final eight minutes exciting, but the Badgers defense would hold on despite a furious last ditch offensive charge by Lee that resulted in numerous close calls that resulted no goals. With five seconds remaining, Lee's final shot off an entry pass from the right side sailed wide right, clinching the final score.
SHC sophomore keeper
Alessandro Erdelyi (3-5) from Turin, Italy, made two saves against 13 shots and four corner kicks by the Flames. Across the field, Daniel Hrenko of Lee also collected two saves versus five shots and four corner attempts by the Badgers.
After the contest and after he caught his breath, SHC head coach
Steve Wieczorek was impressed by his team's commitment and effort in a tough match. "What a gritty, gutty performance," he said. "I am so proud of the group for digging in and pulling ourselves up and forward. There's still lots of work to be done, but we're one win closer."
The Badgers (4-6, 2-4 GSC) will travel to Livingston, Ala., on Friday to face the University of West Alabama (UWA) Tigers (3-5, 1-2 GSC) in Tiger Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
