ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Opening Peach Belt Conference action in Florida, Clayton State (2-2-1, 0-1-0 PBC) could not withstand a three goal barrage in the first half as they fell 3-2 to Flagler (2-1-1, 1-0-0 PBC) in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Saturday, September 19.

The Saints wasted no time in getting on the board as Oscar Davidsson took advantage of a failed clear and made it 1-0 at the 3:53 mark. Less than nine minutes later it would be Juan Membreno converting off of a pass from Marco Warren to push the lead to 2-0 at 12:42.

The final blow of the first half would come at the 26:38 mark as Eamonn Moore found Pedro Silva off a cross. The latter then headed it in for a 3-0 advantage. That margin would hold up until the second half when junior forward Bilal Nakhli (Paris, France) took a pass from senior defender Nikola Gazibara (Belgrade, Serbia) and buried it 3-1 at the 54:09 mark.

Following nearly 30 minutes of scoreless play, the Lakers would find some late offense. Senior midfielder Jonny Evans (Seaham, England) found the back of the net off of a pass from Gazibara, who notched his second assist of the game in cutting the deficit to 3-2 at 82:55. That would be as close as they would get, however, as the Saints defense buckled down and held on for the narrow one goal victory.

Lead the way for Flagler were Silva, Membreno and Davidsson with a goal apiece while Moore and Warren each had an assist. Lex Craggs went the distance in goal, allowing a pair of goals and making 10 saves to improve to 2-1-1 on the year.

For the Lakers, Gazibara came away with a pair of assists, leading to solo goals by Evans and Nakhli. In net, senior goalkeeper Viltsu Tuumi (Pori, Finland) surrendered all three goals and make two saves in 90 minutes to fall to 0-1-1.

The Lakers return home on Wednesday, September 23 when they face Shorter. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Laker Field.