Valentine named to All-Southeast Region team

MORROW, GA – Laker women's soccer player Natalia Valentine had a record-setting career at Clayton State and was recently recognized at the regional level for her accomplishments during the 2012 season.

A senior forward, Valentine was recently named to the second team 2012 Daktronics All-Southeast Region squad. She was named earlier this month to the Peach Belt All-Conference team for the second straight season.

"It´s great to see Natalia receive this award," said head coach Gareth O'Sullivan. "Her nickname is 'Seabiscuit' and in every game she worked her tail off (Pardon the pun)! She constantly improved her overall game since my arrival and scored some great goals along the way. We are delighted for her."

Valentine finished her Laker career, as one of the top goal scorers in Clayton State history. She finished with 32 goals in her four-year career, ranking third all-time behind Laker greats Nkiru Okosieme and Olaitan Yusuf, both of whom were All-Americans. Valentine finished 2012 with 12 goals, ranking third in the conference.

She also ranks third all-time in points scored with 72 for her career. A native of Boksburg, South Africa, she started every match of her four-year career, which was 70 straight matches. She ranks second all-time in games started for the Lakers. Valentine had three game-winning goals in 2012 and three multi-goal games.

Clayton State finished the season with a 10-7-2 record on the year. The 10-win season was the program's first double-digit winning season since 2006.