Goalkeeper records first clean sheet in club history against Charleston Battery
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (April 9, 2024) – Rhode Island FC goalkeeper Jackson Lee has been named to the USL Championship Team of the Week after recording the first clean sheet in club history and the first of his professional career. The honor is Lee’s first in the USL Championship.
The Perth, Australia native played an integral role Saturday night in Rhode Island FC’s shutout draw against Charleston Battery. Lee made a career-high six saves and earned his first Man of the Match performance. The 22-year-old’s first critical stop came in the 36th minute when he made a diving save to push the ball away and prevent a goal from Charleston midfielder Juan Torres. Lee continued to keep Rhode Island FC in the match and helped the club secure a crucial point in the standings with the Save of the Match in second half stoppage time. As Charleston Battery’s MD Myers tried to head the ball into the back of the net from close range, Lee reacted quickly and denied Myers of a match-winning goal.
Lee’s incredible performance was only his second career start and his first at home after starting last week at Tampa Bay Rowdies. The goalkeeper’s exemplary performance comes three months after signing with RIFC in December. While under contract with Rhode Island FC, Lee was drafted in the first round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, number 28 overall, by Los Angeles FC. Prior to RIFC, Lee played collegiately at West Virginia University and George Mason University. Lee set a West Virginia University record for most goalkeeper wins in 2023 with 17 after playing every minute of the Mountaineers’ season, which concluded at the semifinals of the College Cup. Adding nine clean sheets to his senior campaign, good enough for seventh in the nation, Lee’s postseason accolades included selections to the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team and All-Sun Belt Second Team.
Rhode Island FC returns to USL Championship action on Saturday, April 13 (7:30 p.m. ET) when the club plays the second of its two-match homestand against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Beirne Stadium. Tickets are available now at rhodeislandfc.com/tickets.