CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A pair of first-half goals and a second-half defensive stand were the keys in the Clayton State men's soccer 2-1 win on Friday night against Queens University in a region match-up. The win snapped a three-game losing streak and improved Clayton State's season record to 4-4-1 while the hosts fell to 2-7.
Avery Shepard and Jonny Evans provided the offensive scoring for the Lakers. Shepard notched his seventh goal of the season in the 11th minute of action on a header off a corner with Casey Shultis credited with the assist. Evans scored Clayton State's second goal 10 minutes later on a deflected cross pass off a defender to put the Lakers up 2-0 at the 21st minute.
Queens scored its lone goal just before the halftime horn when Philip Makhlouf chipped a shot over the Lakers' Nick Punter as time expired. The Laker defense had to hold off the Royals in the second half. Queens outshot the Lakers 8-5 in the final 45 minutes as Punter made two saves. For the night, Queens held a 15-9 advantage in shot attempts.
Clayton State returns to action on Saturday when they resume their Peach Belt Conference schedule on Saturday when they play host to visiting Lander University (5-2-1, 1-1-1). The match is scheduled to kick off at Laker Field at 7:30 p.m.
