Thanks to a goal with just 36 seconds left in double overtime the No. 20 West Alabama Tigers survived a 2-1 battle with the Lee men's soccer team on Sunday afternoon from the Lee Soccer Field.
Owen Keck broke a scoreless tie in the 83rd minute as he headed in a cross from Samir Williams to give the Flames a 1-0 lead over the Tigers. The Gulf South leaders wouldn't go away however as Jack Shiels mirrored the Lee goal with a header of his own off a corner kick at the 86:38 mark to send the match to extra time.
After a scoreless first overtime period the Tigers won the match with just 36 ticks left on the scoreboard as Cole Webster found space in the box and scored off a pass from Jean-Baptiste Meyniel.
Lee senior keeper Tristen Putnam was credited with four saves as he played his final home match.
Putnam made a highlight reel save in the 74th minute when he leaped high to knock away a bullet shot from the Tigers' Alvaro Macias.
West Alabama's goalie Brad Louis had six saves including an acrobatic save of his own on a hard-hit ball off the foot of Jared McWhorter in the 79th minute.
Lee was forced to play a man down from the 87th minute on as Jake Brown received his second yellow card of the match. The physical battle resembled more of a wrestling match than a soccer contest as five yellow cards were shown and 35 fouls were whistled as the two clubs jockeyed for position throughout the evening.
The Tigers held a 19-12 advantage in shots but out shot Lee 6-1 in overtime playing with an extra player. The Flames placed seven shots on mark while West Alabama tallied six on frame.
The loss drops the Flames to 5-6-4 overall and 4-5-2 in league play. Lee will now look for some help to get into the GSC Tournament as West Florida still has two conference matches remaining and would need to lose both in order for the Flames to continue their season as the sixth and final seed.
The win secured the GSC regular season championship for West Alabama as it improves to 13-2 overall and 9-1 in league play. The Tigers have now won nine straight overall.
Prior to kick off Lee honored its 2017 senior class of Austin Waddell, Jake Molony, Jeremy Bonyaa, Tristen Putnam, Matt Brady and Jay Luzardo in a special ceremony.
"I'm really proud of the guys. These last three matches have been tough to swallow but it proves just how close we are and it shows we are building something for the future," said head coach Derek Potteiger. "This one stings no doubt and I feel really bad for our seniors we wanted to send them away with a victory but we'll be ready to go on Wednesday."
The Flames will wrap up the regular season as they travel to Tusculum for a 4 p.m. match on Wednesday.