Lee’s Summit Tigers make boys soccer history

Lee’s Summit’s boys soccer team isn’t used to making deep postseason runs. Pulling out close matches? Now that’s become old hat.

Since postseason play began, Lee’s Summit has survived in overtime and double overtime.

And now the Tigers are in the final four for the first time in school history after holding off Springfield Kickapoo 1-0 Saturday in a Class 4 state quarterfinal contest at Lee’s Summit.

“We have a lot of perseverance,” Lee’s Summit senior midfielder Blake Lines said. “Sometimes the games are close when you get further in the bracket. And this is kind of new to us but we fought hard.”

Lines was in the right place at the right time and scored what would be the game-winning goal for the Tigers just 19 minutes into the first half. After a flurry of Lee’s Summit shots, he was in front of the net when Jake Pycior’s second shot went off the goal and right to him.

Lee’s Summit’s defense kept Kickapoo from getting a shot on goal until the second half. Goalie Roman Pena had to make few saves in recording his 10th shutout.

Lee’s Summit, 19-3, will play Francis Howell Central at 6 p.m. Friday in the state semifinals at Blue Springs South.

This story was originally published November 12, 2014 at 11:57 AM with the headline "Lee’s Summit Tigers make boys soccer history."