The Lee University men's soccer team ended a historic season with a heartbreaking loss Thursday night in Boca Raton, Florida. The Flames, who won the Gulf South Conference tournament for the first time and were making their debut in the NCAA Division II bracket, lost to Queens University of Charlotte in the opening round 5-4 on penalty kicks after the teams played to a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes of regulation and overtime. The North Carolina program, seeded eighth in Super Region 2, scored first in the 54th minute, but the ninth-seeded Flames (12-5-4) responded 14 minutes later as junior Jared McWhorter scored his eighth goal this season. Jonah Bryan, Eemeli Makela, Sagi Rada and Samaan Williams converted for Lee during the shootout, when Flames goalkeeper Daniel Hrenko made his fifth save of the match, but the Royals (12-6) got two big saves from Sebastian Kalk after he had none during the match. Lee, which outshot Queens 9-7 overall but trailed 5-1 on goal, had not lost since Oct. 18. The Royals advanced to face site host and No. 1 seed Lynn (13-1-2) on Sunday. "That's a tough way to end the season and all of us feel the sting for sure," third-year Flames coach Derek Potteiger said in a team release. "But once you get over that moment, that ending, there is a bigger story that I am really thankful to have been a part of this year." Prior to the tournament, midfielder McWhorter and sophomore defender Jonah Bryan from Chattanooga and McCallie were named to the D2 Conference Commissioner's Association All-South Region lineup, with McWhorter on the first team and Bryan on the second.
* Lee will try to extend its women's soccer season Sunday, when it hosts the winner of Friday's DII first-round match between Florida's Embry-Riddle (10-5-2) and Rollins (12-4-1), also in Cleveland. The Lady Flames (16-5) are ranked 17th nationally and received a bye as the South Regioin's No. 2 seed, and the GSC runners-up also celebrated all-region honors ahead of the NCAA tournament. Sisters Avery and Riley Engels from Signal Mountain were second-team selections for D2CCA All-South, Avery after anchoring a back line that helped the Lady Flames to 14 shutouts and Riley after scoring seven goals and assisting on five.
BASKETBALL
* Dalton State College beat visiting Faulkner 71-66 on Thursday night, with the Roadrunners winning their Southern States Athletic Conference opener to remain undefeated through seven games. Kevon Tucker scored 16 points and Randy Bell and C.J. Perry added 10 apiece for Dalton State, which got eight rebounds from Jordan Young. The visitors from Alabama were led by Garrett Sanderson's 13 points and eight rebounds as Faulkner fell to 5-2 while also playing its SSAC opener.
* Cleveland State split a doubleheader Wednesday at Roane State, with the women winning 87-62 and the men falling 79-69. Asjah Harrell had 22 points and six assists for the Lady Cougars (3-3, 2-0 TCCAA). For the Cougars (3-4, 1-1), Jaquez Hicks had 26 points and 12 rebounds.
* Tennessee Wesleyan University's men won 62-56 on Wednesday at Reinhardt, where the women lost 83-48. For the TWU men (3-3, 2-3 Appalachian Athletic Conference), Dominique Oggs led with 15 points. Hannah Cherry's 13 points led the TWU women (2-3, 3-1).
* Lee's women beat visiting Bryan 58-48 on Wednesday, with the Lady Flames (5-0) getting 17 points from Abby Bertram. Bryan (7-1) was led by Karli Combs' 12. The Bryan men won 81-69 at Truett McConnell the same night, with Austin Douglas pacing the Lions (4-3, 3-2 AAC) with 21 points and Keaton Dotson adding 11 points and 10 rebounds.
* Sewanee's men lost 94-70 Wednesday at Emory to fall to 3-2. Jordan Warlick scored 18 points to lead the Tigers (3-2).
Compiled by Marty Kirkland. Contact him at mkirkland@timesfreepress.com.