Clayton State women, Flagler battle to scoreless stalemate

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – October 22, 2011 – At this time in the soccer season, every little point is important in gaining good position in the upcoming Peach Belt Conference women's tournament. That includes scoreless ties.

The Clayton State Lakers gained that valuable point on Saturday as they battled Flagler to a scoreless stalemate at the Flagler Athletics Complex. The tie, the second in the last three games for the Lakers, puts Clayton State 7-6-2 overall and 3-4-2 in the Peach Belt. This is the eighth shutout of the season for the Lakers, their most in a season since 2005.

Flagler is now 7-7-1 and 3-4-1 in the Peach Belt.

"The girls worked hard tonight," said Clayton State head coach Gareth O'Sullivan. "The game could have gone either way and it may turn out to be a great point earned against a good team on the road"

Clayton State had 14 shots, including seven on goal, while the Saints had 26 shots with eight on goal. But both goalkeepers were stellar. The Lakers' Laoise O'Driscoll recorded eight saves in garnering her seventh shutout of the season, while Flagler goalkeeper Christina Coca recorded seven saves.

Coca came up with three crucial saves late in regulation and then in the double-overtime sessions. She saved a shot attempt by the Lakers' Emily Walling in the 86th minute in regulation, and then turned back a header by Clayton State's Josefine Holsten in the 96th minute. Her final save came in the 106th minute off another shot attempt by Holsten.

Clayton State plays host to Alabama-Huntsville on Senior Night on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Laker Field.