Laker women blank Queens 4-0; improve to 2-0

Charlotte, NC  – It was a great beginning for the Clayton State women's soccer team in Charlotte.

 The Lakers went on the road to play in the Queens Women's Soccer Classic and came back a perfect 2-0 on the season. The squad put the finishing touches on the satisfying trip on Sunday, blanking host Queens 4-0. Clayton State defeated Pfeiffer on Friday in the first day of the event 3-1.

 "Today was a game of two halves," said head coach Gareth O'Sullivan. "We were poor in the first half and struggled to maintain possession. The second half performance was excellent considering we played the last 40 minutes a player down. Our finishing was clinical in the second half."

 On Sunday, the Lakers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by junior forward Alicia Robinson, her first of the season with 10 minutes remaining.

 After neither team scored for the remainder of the half, the Lakers came out of halftime and exploded offensively with a trio of goals to cruise to the victory.

 Senior forward Natalie Valentine started the scoring frenzy with a goal in the first 19 minutes of the second half off an assist from Robinson. Seven minutes later the Lakers struck again this time when forward Saidhbh Collins headed in a cross from Lea Notthoff, giving the team a comfortable 3-0 lead.

 A header by junior Josephine Holsten off a cross from Collins with 19 minutes remaining provided Clayton State some insurance and the 4-0 victory.

 Clayton State finished with 13 shots on the match compared to nine for Queens. Laker freshman keeper Charlotte McCormack had five saves and recorded her first shutout.

 The Lakers will open their home schedule on Tuesday squaring off against Tennessee Wesleyan in a 4 p.m. match.