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CPA junior Patrick Lee thriving as goal-scorer and facilitator





Hogan Walker (3) and Patrick Lee (2) battle for possession on the MBA pitch during a recent game.Phil Stauder/Main Street Nashville

Hogan Walker (3) and Patrick Lee (2) battle for possession on the MBA pitch during a recent game.Phil Stauder/Main Street Nashville

Patrick Lee couldn’t wait for soccer season to start.

When the CPA junior finally returned to the pitch in mid-March, he scored 9 goals and assisted on 7 others to help the Lions go 3-0 during their first week of play.

Lee is up to 19 goals and 14 assists as CPA (7-2) prepares to host Grace Christian Academy (9-1) on Friday at 5 p.m.

“It’s been fun,” Lee said. “I’m just really excited to be out here after last season got canceled. I’m trying to make the most of it.”

It was as if Lee hadn’t skipped a beat.

The attacking midfielder netted 9 goals in the two games CPA played before COVID-19 ended the 2020 season. Before that, he showed flashes as a freshman in 2019 by tallying 10 scores for CPA’s Division II-A state runner-up team.

“When Patty came in as a freshman, we knew he was something special,” CPA coach Thomas Gerlach said. “A lot of guys take a year or two to get into the flow of the game, but he was doing things as a freshman that a lot of players can’t do.”

CPA junior Patrick Lee (2) tries to maneuver around an MBA defender during a recent game.Phil Stauder/Main Street Media

CPA junior Patrick Lee (2) tries to maneuver around an MBA defender during a recent game.Phil Stauder/Main Street Media

Perhaps the most memorable moment of Lee’s debut season came during a 4-0 win over BGA in the DII-A Middle Region title game. He dove into the box – fully extended – to head a corner kick directly into the bottom-right corner of the net to give the Lions an all-important 2-0 lead.

The play was recognized as the team’s 2019 goal of the year.

“I don’t want to say it was lucky, but I definitely don’t think I can do it again,” he said.

However, Lee isn’t just a goal-scorer. That’s evidenced by his 24 assists in 33 career games.

Almost as often as he’s finding the net himself, Lee is feeding passes to CPA strikers Jayce Harvey and Brewer Myers or fellow midfielders Collin Kitchin, Davis Rody and Parker Rody.

“I like to give it back to them for all the hard work they do,” Lee said. “They deserve all the credit. I like setting up goals just as much as I like scoring.”

That unselfishness is music to Gerlach’s ears. The longtime coach has seen his fair share of standout players over his 34-year career. One prolific scorer is rarely enough to win a state championship.

CPA's Patrick Lee blocks the ball with his chest as MBA's Eli Kampine watches.Phil Stauder/Main Street Media

CPA’s Patrick Lee blocks the ball with his chest as MBA’s Eli Kampine watches.Phil Stauder/Main Street Media

“We’ve played against teams that have a phenomenal player, but if you don’t have a supporting cast, you can’t do it by yourself,” Gerlach said. “Some of Patrick’s success is because he’s surrounded by phenomenal players. He’ll be the first one to tell you that he can’t do it by himself.”

Lee spends more time in a defensive-midfield role while playing for his club team, Nashville United Soccer Academy. But for CPA, Gerlach has given him the green light to create and execute scoring chances no matter where that takes him.

“He has the freedom to roam and move as he thinks he needs to – that’s one of his strengths,” Gerlach said. “You’ll see (Lionel) Messi and some of these great players just move where the game takes them. That’s what (Patrick) does, and he does it well.”

MBA defenders George Bull (7), Ross Walker (12) and Hogan Walker (3) close in on CPA's Patrick Lee (2).Phil Stauder/Main Street Media

MBA defenders George Bull (7), Ross Walker (12) and Hogan Walker (3) close in on CPA’s Patrick Lee (2).Phil Stauder/Main Street Media

Lee is drawing interest from a variety of college programs. Eleven-time NCAA Division III national champion Messiah (Pa.) University is his current favorite.

That decision can be made later, though.

For the next six weeks, Lee is focused on leading CPA back to Murfreesboro for another shot at the state crown. The Lions won the most recent of their three titles in 2015.

“I think this is a state final team,” Lee said. “(Two years ago), we had a little bit more depth. We don’t have as much depth now. But we definitely have the creativity and leadership we need to get to the final.”

CPA's Patrick Lee tries to keep MBA's Hogan Walker (2) from getting to the ball.Phil Stauder/Main Street Media

CPA’s Patrick Lee tries to keep MBA’s Hogan Walker (2) from getting to the ball.Phil Stauder/Main Street Media

Patrick Lee (left) and John Michael Ritchie celebrate after CPA takes a 1-0 lead over Lausanne in 2019.Michael Gallagher/Main Street Media

Patrick Lee (left) and John Michael Ritchie celebrate after CPA takes a 1-0 lead over Lausanne in 2019.Michael Gallagher/Main Street Media

Patrick Lee (left) and Lausanne's Max Gilbert (19) try to beat each other to the ball in 2019.David Russell/Main Street Media

Patrick Lee (left) and Lausanne’s Max Gilbert (19) try to beat each other to the ball in 2019.David Russell/Main Street Media

Patrick Lee (6) goes up to head the ball in 2019.Michael Gallagher/Main Street Media

Patrick Lee (6) goes up to head the ball in 2019.Michael Gallagher/Main Street Media

CPA's Patrick Lee (6) and GCA's Shewit Horton (10) battle for ball possession in 2019.Michael Gallagher/Main Street Media

CPA’s Patrick Lee (6) and GCA’s Shewit Horton (10) battle for ball possession in 2019.Michael Gallagher/Main Street Media

CPA's Patrick Lee (left) defends MBA's Ross Walker (15) in 2019.File/Main Street Media

CPA’s Patrick Lee (left) defends MBA’s Ross Walker (15) in 2019.File/Main Street Media

 

 

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