ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Tasked with opening conference play at not only an undefeated foe, but also one in the furthest reaches of the league, Clayton State (4-2, 1-0 PBC) produced a 1-0 victory at Flagler (2-1-1, 0-1-0 PBC) in an NCAA Division II women's soccer game on Saturday, September 19.

Both teams would have their opportunities in the first half, with the Lakers notching six shots and the Saints four. None of those, however, would find the back of the net, much like almost all of the combined 13 shots in the second half.

That would be a trend that wouldn't end until the 83rd minute when reigning All-American and senior midfielder Maria Marti Bartis (Girona, Spain) capitalized on a pass from senior defender Lucy Cunningham (Formby, Liverpool, England). Marti Bartis then buried the one touch pass into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead at the 82:52 mark.

As they had for the entire game, Clayton State's defense came up big over the final seven minutes. With just over two minutes to play, they turned away a shot on goal from FC's Morgan Vidrine, a corner kick from Abby Austin and a shot by Beate Jaeckel to secure the 1-0 victory and second shutout in three games.

Austin would lead the Saints with three shots, one on goal, while Jaeckel had a pair of attempts. Rachael Cecil went all 90 minutes in goal, surrendering the lone goal while making three saves. She falls to 2-1-1 on the year.

Marti Bartis, who entered the week fifth in NCAA Division II in game-winning goals, added her fifth overall and third game-winner. The latter now puts her in a five-way tie for the most in the Division with three. Cunningham added the assist for the only other points on the night. In net, senior goalkeeper Charlotte McCormack (Wexford, Ireland) played all 90 minutes, making five saves to improve to 4-2 on the year.

"Tonight was a battle and it could have gone either way," said head coach Gareth O'Sullivan. "The conditions didn't allow either team to play any pretty stuff. I don't expect Flagler to lose many games here."

The Lakers return to action with a mid-year exhibition against Division I Francis Marion (2-8) on Wednesday, September 23. That game will take place in Aiken, S.C. on the campus of USC Aiken at 7 p.m. With it being a matchup of teams from different divisions, it will serve as a regular season contest for the Patriots and an exhibition for the Lakers.

NOTES
The shutout is the 18th in the career of Charlotte McCormack.