BANNER ELK, N.C. - Lee Squires scored three goals to give the Lees-McRae Bobcats a 3-2 conference win over the Anderson University Trojans and to crown the Bobcats the Conference Carolinas regular season champions for the second consecutive year Saturday night at Tate Field.
Squires (Sheffield, England) scored in the 15th minute when he
flicked the ball over the Trojan's keeper's head to give the
Bobcats a 1-0 lead. Kyle McGimsey (Plant City, Fla.) laid a pass
over the Trojan backline to set up the goal.
Squires extended the Bobcat lead to 2-0 in the 24th minute when he
took the ball down the field, beat his defender and ripped a shot
near post for the goal.
Lahnden Onger got the Trojans on the scoreboard in the 60th minute
when he collected a rebound and scored. Adrien Moufflet sent in a
cross and Lass Sohrweide put a header on frame that was saved to
set up the scoring opportunity for Onger.
The Bobcats answered in the 82nd minute when Squires was taken down
in the Trojan box for a penalty kick. Squires took the penalty
kick and gave the Bobcats a 3-1 lead.
However, the Trojans would not quit. Rayon Markland headed a free
kick from Sohrweide in to make it 3-2.
The physical match had 30 combined fouls, six yellow cards and two
red cards.
With the win the Bobcats, back-to-back Conference Carolinas regular
season champions, improve to 14-2-1 overall and 8-0-1 in the
conference, while the Trojans fall to 9-4-2 overall and 6-1-2 in
the conference.
"I am extremely proud of our players, coaches and all those
involved in our back-to-back Conference Carolinas championship
runs," head coach Chris Whalley said. Thanks to a number of people
who have made sacrifices to make this happen tonight and without
them it wouldn't be possible. I especially would like to thank
Dave Whalley, my father, assistant coach Jay Benfield and our
fantastic booster club for their on going efforts and support."
The Bobcats will honor their seniors at their next match on
Wednesday, October 29th at 7 p.m. at Tate Field against Lander
University.
Pictured: Lee Squires