PENSACOLA, Fla. (November 12, 2021) – The 8
th-seeded Spring Hill College (SHC) men's soccer team fell to the Lee University Flames 1-0 in an overtime stunner at the semifinal round of the 2021 Gulf South Conference (GSC) Men's Soccer Championship Tournament on Friday evening at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
SHC played a patient defensive game throughout the first half against the 4
th-seeded Flames (13-4-1) as the Badgers focused on disrupting the Lee offensive flow with pesky ball pressure and opportunistic pass interceptions.
With the match scoreless at the intermission, Lee had taken six shots to four for Spring Hill, but the Badgers appeared happy to be more selective in their shot selection by taking three shots on goal to two for the Flames.
Both teams opened up their offensive attacks in the second period, but still could not find the back of the net despite numerous exciting runs and sets by the attackers.
In the 2
nd minute of overtime, Jared McWhorter of the Flames lifted a crossing shot into the very angle of the upper right corner of the goal with a ball from just inside the left side of the 18-meter box to end the game and the Badgers' 2021 season.
SHC senior goalkeeper
Alessandro Erdelyi (11-8) made three saves against 15 shots and three corner kicks by Lee while the Flames' Sam Keener (13-4-1) made four saves versus 10 shots and two corner attempts from SHC.
After the match, SHC head coach
Chris Leonardi was reflective in his thoughts. "Overtime is such a hard way to finish your season," he said. "But that's how it went tonight. We had our chances during regulation, but didn't take them. It was a great finish on their part and good luck to Lee University."
Leonardi expressed his feelings for his players and the future by saying, "We lose a very good group of seniors who left everything on the field and I am very proud of them. We are looking forward to 2022 and working hard to be back here. Spring Hill College is a special place and we will be a strong program for years to come."
The Badgers ended the 2021 season with an 11-8 overall record including a 5-6 mark in the GSC.
