Lewis Men's Soccer Season Ends in National Semifinal
BOX SCORE WILL FOLLOW
TAMPA, Fla. - The 20th-ranked Lewis men's soccer team led ninth-ranked Lees-McRae by two goals with seven minutes to play in regulation on Thursday afternoon in the NCAA National Semifinals held at Pepin Stadium. The Flyers (16-3-3), however, were unable to hold the lead and following a double-overtime 2-2 tie, had their season end in a penalty kick shootout, 5-3.
Senior Nestor Hernandez scored a pair of goals in less than a minute to break a scoreless and give the Flyers a substantial 2-0 advantage late in regulation. Hernandez tallied his first goal in the 79th minute on assists from Kipp Cartwright and Sebastian Kieruzal.
Just 57 seconds later, Hernadez scored the second of two goals to give Lewis a cushion with 10 minutes to play. He was assisted on his 16th goal of the season by Charlie Bucio.
Lees-McRae responded with a goal in the 85th minute by Grant Elder and they forced overtime with a goal by Lee Squires in the 87th minute.
Following two scoreless overtime periods, Lees-McRae earned the right to advance to the National Championship match on Saturday with a 5-3 decision in the shootout.
Kieruzal posted six saves for the Flyers who were outshot in the contest, 19-11. Sean Paradise made five saves in goal for Lees-McRae to earn the decision.