MORROW, Ga. – In their final game of a season opening three-game homestand, Clayton State (2-1, 0-0 PBC) could not withstand a first half onslaught as Tampa (2-2, 0-0 SSC) posted a 4-1 decision in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Saturday, September 12.

Heavy offensive pressure for the Spartans afforded them an early scoring opportunity as Jason Collister fired a shot from the deep left side in the sixth minute. That would end up being mishandled by a Laker defender and would find its way to the back of the net as an own goal at 5:40.

UT would add to that advantage at 29:09 as Keith Francisco took a free kick, also deep along the left side, and lofted just over the reach of the keeper for a 2-0 lead. Just over two minutes later, Clayton State would answer back as graduate forward Iain Smith (Suwanee, Ga.) connected for his third straight game.

Positioned in front of the net off of a corner kick from sophomore defender Aleksi Tuominen (Helsinki, Finland), Smith headed the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-1 at the 31:28 mark.

It would be a short-lived one goal margin, however, as the Spartan's Michael Cobuzio took advantage of a loose ball on the right side of the net. He would connect for a 3-1 lead with 34:31 gone by.

That lead would hold up through halftime and Tampa would add to it in the 60th minute. Collister came charging in and had his first shot blocked point blank by the keeper but he quickly recovered and slid into the rebound, managing to toe the ball in off of the post and reach the eventual final margin of 4-1.

Cobuzio, Francisco and Collister each notched solo goals to lead the offensive charge for the Spartans while Christian Knight went the distance in net. He made three saves and allowed the one goal to improve to 2-2 on the year.

Smith recorded the lone goal for the Lakers, making it three straight games with a score and bringing his total to four on the season. Tuominen collected his second assist of the year and junior goalkeeper Oliver Pannell (Nottingham, England) played all 90 minutes in goal. He allowed all four scores and made eight saves in falling to 2-1 on the season.

The Lakers are right back in action on Monday, September 14 when they travel to Greer, S.C. for a neutral site game against No. 22 Wingate. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at the MeSA Complex on Field 10.