MONTGOMERY, Ala. - It was a little piece of history and a sweet taste of victory on Saturday afternoon for the Lee University men's soccer team in the NAIA Region XIII championship game. The Flames upset No. 1-ranked Auburn Montgomery 3-0 and claimed the coveted title.

History was made on two fronts by coach Henry Moyo's team. They claimed Lee's first NAIA region championship in men's soccer and also defeated the Senators for the first time ever. AUM had beaten the Flames seven straight times, including twice this season, before Saturday afternoon's shocker.

"We made some changes after the loss to AUM in the SSAC final," explained Moyo. "Thes changes helped shut them down and freed up some things on the offensive end. I was very proud of the team and how they responded to the adjustments, especially in just two days of practice after the Mobile win on Wednesday."

The rugged battle was tied at zero at the end of the first 45 minutes. The Flames, ranked 6th nationally, had plenty to prove in this meeting between the two soccer powers. All totaled, there were 31 fouls called in the game. Lee was tagged with four yellow cards and AUM two.

NAIA First-Team All-American Ricardo Pierre-Louis, who had been frustrated in at least four other meetings with the Senators, proved that he is one of the nation's top soccer players on this day. He pulled off the hat-trick with three goals in the second half.

The first score came when the lightening-quick Pierre-Louis broke away from the AUM defenders and scored an unassisted goal. The tally came in the 60th minute. Twelve minutes later, it was Pierre-Louis scoring a badly needed goal. The score came on an excellent assist from Lee freshman Simon Sheppard.

Pierre-Louis put a little extra icing on the special victory cake in the 74th minute. It was his 33rd goal of the year and it came on an assist from his running-mate and very close friend Stanley Nyazamba.

Lee preserved the shutout when the Senators were awarded a penalty kick late in the game. Freshman keeper Luidgi Beauzile displayed his amazing skills by blocking the penalty-kick effort.  In the game, Lee fired off 17 shots and had eight on target. AUM took 13 shots and placed four on goal. Beauzile was credited with four saves.

"Luidgi had some big saves, especially on the penalty kick," stated Moyo. He also pointed out that Chris Hennessey and Neremie Deronvil played very well on the defensive end.

"The entire team played with great tenacity and skill," continued Moyo. "I believe this victory is very good for the team and Lee University in general."

The Flames will face Azusa Pacific University on Friday at 4:30 in the NAIA National Tournament which is being played at Daytona Beach.