Josh Inglis Fights for Loose Ball Against AUM
Story by; George Starr - Sports Information
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The Lee University Flames (3-4-2, 0-2) had the 16th ranked Auburn-Montgomery Senators (6-1-2, 3-0) on the ropes Tuesday night, despite playing a man down for the entire second half and in double overtime.
Demaro Jones was sent off with just 1:38 remaining in the opening half, receiving his second yellow card of the match for a hard tackle near midfield.
“That was a tough blow,” said Flames assistant coach Thuba Nkomazana who handled the sideline duties in place of head coach Henry Moyo who was battling a cold bug. “It could have really hurt us, but instead of backing down, we responded.”
The teams went to the halftime break in a scoreless tie, and during the intermission, the coach staff gave their guys some key instructions. “We told them at halftime that being down a man, we were really going to have to be disciplined in our positioning and formation,” Nkomazana said, “The guys did a good job with that in the second half.”
AUM broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when Stefan Arnarson fired a shot past Flames’ keeper Luidgi Beauzile on a penalty kick to make it 1-0 Senators.
The Lee side kept fighting back. Moments later, Beauzile made a diving save to keep the deficit at a single goal, and the Flames capitalized on the momentum shift.
Just 13 minutes after the Senators had claimed the edge, Curtis Alcide served one into the box from the right wing, and senior captain Chris Hennessey used a single touch to chip the ball over AUM keeper Kile Kennedy to tie the match at 1-1.
The goal was the Flames’ first at home since opening night against Truett-McConnell College in a match the Flames won 3-0.
“The leadership from guys like Chris [Hennessey] and Luidgi [Beauzile] really showed through tonight,” remarked Nkomazana, “Those guys showed their dedication by not just talking like leaders, but by acting like leaders.”
In overtime, the Flames had a golden opportunity early, but a shot by Mohamad Aden was blocked, and the first overtime session went by scoreless.
Just over four minutes into the second overtime, it was over. Beauzile made a great save on a point-blank chance from Arnarson, but Yuki Kariya lobbed the rebound over Beauzile and into the net for the game-winner.
“Overall I thought we played well tonight,” Nkomazana said. “We gave good effort. We just got a little unlucky on the last goal.”
The Flames will hit the road Thursday to take on the Warriors of Southern Wesleyan University (2-2-2, 0-0-1) in Central, S.C.
-Lee University - Sports Information
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