wInter 2009 - Lee University

sports
Men’s soccer surprise
entrants into
nationals
Coach Henry Moyo's Lee men's soccer team went
into the Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament
with a losing record and only a 5th seed in the
seven-team
event. But the
veteran leader
of young men
enjoyed the last
laugh when his
Flames whipped
the University of
Auburn at Montgomery
2-1 and
walked away
with the tourney
championship
for the second
straight year.
(photo above) lee senior chris Hennessey
gets a big hug from coach Henry Moyo
after scoring the winning goal against
the university of auburn at Montgomery
in the ssac and sending the Flames
into the first round of the naia national
tournament. Hennessey was the MVp of
the ssac tourney. (right) Hennesssey
goes for the goal against the university
of the cumberlands.
"I told the guys going into the tournament that it
was a new season," said Moyo, who realized his team
faced an even bigger challenge when they traveled to
No. 1 ranked Lindsey-Wilson College for the opening
round of the NAIA National Tournament.
The young Flames apparently listened to their
coach. They hit the road for victories at Southern Wesleyan,
No. 4 ranked Southern Polytechnic State University
and finally Auburn-Montgomery to move over the
.500 mark for the first time this season (9-8-3) and claim
the crown.
Moyo said it was an extremely tough regular-season
schedule that prepared his Flames for tourney play."I
think playing all those ranked team close, helped make
us better," the coach pointed out.
Veteran senior goalkeeper Luidgi Beauzile was
named to the All-SSAC first team. Seniors Curtis Alcide
and Chris Hennessey were listed on the second team.
Hennessey, who scored the winning goal against AUM,
was named the SSAC tournament MVP.
Lee placed five players on the All-SSAC Scholar Athlete
team. Hennessey was honored again as were
Michael Simmons, Marion Ayala, Drew Henderson
and Demaro Jones. Simmons received
Lee's NAIA Champion of Character Award.
Women’s soccer captures
ssac croWn again
It has been another superior season for Coach Matt Yelton
and his Lee women’s soccer program. The Lady Flames are
shooting for a second straight NAIA National Championship
after going undefeated in the Southern States Athletic Conference
again and grabbing another SSAC tourney title.
Lee’s only losses this season came at the hands of previously
No. 1 ranked California Baptist and Lindsey Wilson, currently
No. 1 ahead of the second-ranked Lady Flames.
In a thrilling penalty kick win over Auburn Montgomery for
the SSAC tournament championship, freshman goalkeeper
Leah Wilson made three outstanding saves and was named the
SSAC Tournament MVP.
Not only did Yelton’s club dominate on the playing field,
they again demonstrated outstanding work ethics in the classroom.
Senior forward Chris Christensen, who was a first–team
NAIA All-American last season, was selected by the SSAC
coaches as the conference Player of the Year. She is also a
conference and NAIA Scholar Athlete. Her twin sister, Linn, was
named the SSAC Defensive Player of the Year. The Lady
Flames had seven players garner first team conference
awards. Jamie (sophomore) and Jenna (senior) Achten,
Marina Lima (senior) Wilson and Kim Conrad (freshman)
joined the Christensen’s on the unit. A pair of Lee defenders,
Claire Lanter (freshman) and Kristine Tuck (senior), was
named to the second team.
Yelton’s group demonstrated their classroom skills
by having seven listed on the All-Academic squad. The
Christensen twins were joined by Jamie and Jenna Achten,
Tuck, Kristen Carbine (sophomore) and Kelli Lawson (senior).
Molly Hoeweler (senior) was selected as the team’s
Champion of Character. To qualify for the SSAC academic
team, an athlete must be at least a sophomore and carry
a 3.2 GPA.
Women’s BasketBall
starts strong
With all five starters back from the 2008-09 team that finished
in the final eight of the NAIA National Tournament, it came as no
surprise when the Lee women’s basketball team was once again
picked to win the Southern States Athletic Conference title and
ranked No. 5 in the NAIA preseason poll.
While All-American Katie Nelson joined All-SSAC performer
Brooke McKinnon in leading the list of returnees, Allison Rader
is considered one the conference’s best point guard and Kayce
Addison can run the run and leap with the best. Sophomore
Angela Spann rounds out solid five.
Lee opened the new season with an 86-48 romp over
Tennessee Wesleyan November 7. Nelson got off to a great
start against the Lady Bulldogs with 30 points. McKinnon
followed with 17 points and Allison Rader dished off
seven assists. Addison led a balanced rebounded attack
with seven.
senior kelli
lawson moves
after loose ball
Brooke mckinnon looks
to pass in win over
tennessee Wesleyan
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