Bobcats oust Limestone from NCAA tournament

The Lees-McRae Bobcats eliminated the Limestone College Saints from the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament on Friday.

Lees-McRae edged the Saints 2-1 as the Bobcats advance to the Southeast Regional Final. Limestone ends its season with an impressive 16- 3-2 overall record.

"It was a great game. Both teams had some great opportunities," Limestone coach Eric Alsop. "The team that we have this year is one of those special teams that has the drive and the desire that makes our job as coaches so easy."

Limestone took the 1-0 lead in the 13th minute after Lee Smyth scored an unassisted goal. He ran into the box from the right side and curled a shot into the far corner of the net. Lees-McRae scored the equalizer about 20 minutes later as Luke Staats crossed the ball into the box, which was headed into the net by Lee Squires.

The Bobcats took the 2-1 lead in the 51st minute with another goal by Squires, who took a short pass from Nick Robinson at the top of the 18-yard box, and delivered a slicing strike inside the far post.

Lees-McRae held a narrow advantage on shots (11-9) and had more corner kicks (6-2).

Saints goalkeeper Mark Davidson posted four saves in 90 minutes of play, while the Bobcats' Sean Paradise had one in the first 23 minutes. Dylan Lawrence recorded four saves in the final 67 minutes.

"I'm extremely proud of the boys and the season we've had," Alsop said. "We've had a great year on and off the field, and it's been a really special season.

"I want to give a special thanks to our seniors Tom Beattie, Sean Boyle, and Joel Moran," the coach said. "They have given so much to our soccer program and will be missed next season."

This was the Saints' second appearance in the NCAA tournament in program history, after advancing to the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2006 competition.

Limestone had a record-setting year, setting new school records for most wins in a season (16) and shutouts in a season (10).

The Saints were also nationally-ranked throughout the fall.

DIVISION II SOCCER TOURNRMANT

The Limestone men's soccer team was eliminated from the NCAA Division II tournament with a 2-1 loss to Lees- McRae Friday.