October 15, 2011
Cleveland, TN
Seniors Sean Grisham (11), Chris Szlawinski (center) and Rani Alkoptan (right) celebrating Grisham's goal
Southern Poly traveled to Lee University to take on the SSAC rival Flames in what
may be a very important match when the regular season ends. Southern Poly would put
in a complete performance for 90 minutes and need only one goal to do so. Senior
Sean Grisham would net the game winner 10 minutes into the second half and the defense
would do the rest as they held on for the 1-0 victory.
The first half saw Southern Poly come out and become the more dangerous team for the
first 45 minutes. They squandered opportunity after opportunity and would be inches
from opening the scoring several times, but unable to finish. Junior, Emeka Maduka
would have four scoring chances in the first 45 minutes but would hit the post once
and the Flames keeper would make three big saves. With two minutes left in the half,
a flame player would aggressively tackle Senior Deigo Nicholson from behind and be
shown a red card, forcing Lee to play with 10 men the rest of the game. Southern
Poly would out shoot the flames 12-0 on the half and have a 3-1 corner kick edge.
The second half saw much of the same and Southern Poly again came out flying and put
a lot of pressure on the Lee goal. It took ten minutes, but Grisham would finish
off what would eventually be the game winner. Sophomore Gabe Warner picked up a ball
30 yards from goal and beat his man to get to the endline. His cross would bounce
around among a few players and Junior Emeka Maduka would block a clearance by a Flame
defender and the loose ball would roll to Grisham. His initial shot was cleared off
the line before he pounded the rebound into the net from two yards away. The goal
was Grisham's third of the year and his second game winner on the season.
The Lee keeper would continue his outstanding performance throughout the second half
and make a few key saves to keep the game close. Both Maduka and Senior Jumol Harewood
would get great scoring chances in the second half only to be saved. Lee would increase
their pressure for the last few minutes sending everyone forward and lumping the ball
into the box but Southern Poly's defense wouldn't buckle. Junior Goalkeeper Dennis
Kramer would earn his third consecutive victory and shutout. The game would end with
Southern Poly out shooting Lee 19-2 with Kramer making only one save.
The win improves Southern Poly's record to 10-2, 6-2 in the SSAC, on the year.
Southern Poly travels to Brewton Parker College Thursday October 20th for a 3pm game.
