BANNER ELK, N.C. –
Ryan Aliam netted a brace and
Jesper Jonsson and
Nils Schulze added goals for Lees-McRae men's soccer in tonight's 4-1 victory over King in the "Battle for the Blue Ridge Cup". Aliam,
William Gakio,
Lane Koch, and
Kevan Wambugu were all recognized prior to tonight's match as part of the senior night ceremony.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 4; King -- 1
LOCATION: Tate Field -- Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (4-5-4/4-3-2); King (3-11-0/0-9-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Jonsson opened the scoring for the Bobcats in the 23rd minute after finishing the ball into the back of the net off a pass from Harrison Watts.
- Aliam started Lees-McRae off on the right track in the second half as he buried his fourth goal of the season in the 50th minute after a free kick from Conor Hart.
- King tallied a goal in the 55th minute from Ricky Sexton via an assist from Chris Neal.
- Lees-McRae bounced back in four minutes of action as Aliam scored his second of the night in the 59' off a long ball from fellow senior Gakio.
- Schulze gave the Bobcats their final marker of the night in the 82nd minute after driving home the ball off a free kick just outside the 18-yard box.
- The Bobcats held the advantage in shots, 11-9, and shots on goal with six to King's five.
- Sean Green hauled in four saves for Lees-McRae with the Bobcats matching their season high in goals four on the night.
FOR THE TORNADO:
- Sexton recorded the lone goal for the Tornado and Gauthier Lumale made two saves in tonight's contest.
NOTEWORTHY:
- Lees-McRae holds the 5-1 lead in the "Battle for the Blue Ridge Cup" standings with King for the 2023-24 season after tonight's sweep in soccer.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae continues Conference Carolinas play Saturday, Oct. 21 when the Bobcats face Chowan in Murfreesboro, North Carolina at 1:30 p.m.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
