MORROW, Ga. – In their second-to-last non-conference regular season action, Clayton State (3-2-1, 0-1-0 PBC) easily handled Shorter (1-4-1, 0-0 GSC) as they posted a 4-0 victory in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Wednesday, September 23.

The Lakers got on the board in the 18th minute as they capitalized on a free kick from the far right side. Sophomore defender Aleksi Tuominen (Helsinki, Finland) drove that opportunity into the back right corner for a 1-0 lead with 17:54 gone by.

From there it would be the Avery Shepard (Kennesaw, Ga.) show as the senior midfielder would deliver a natural hat trick in a span of 15:20. At the 38:39 mark he converted on a pass from junior forward Bilal Nakhli (Paris, France), driving the ball halfway up and just inside of the right post for a 2-0 advantage.

It would be less than a minute later when the Clayton State offense and Shepard would strike again. Off a pass into the box from the right by junior forward Sekou Thornell (Atlanta, Ga.), Shepard buried his second goal into the back right corner to push the lead to three.

His third and final goal would essentially come gift wrapped as a misplayed ball by the keeper in the 54th minute led to a pass from senior midfielder Jonny Evans (Seaham, England).

Picked up just to the right of the goal by the endline, that ball would find its way to Shepard directly in front of an empty net – an opportunity he did not waste in reaching what would be the eventual final margin of 4-0 at the 53:41 mark. The Lakers defense would then finish taking care of business in securing their first shutout of the season.

Held without a goal, Shorter mustered 18 shots and put 10 of them on net. Leading the way was Fernando de Barros with four shots and two on goal. Darwin Lom and Nico Stutley each also had a pair on goal. Jasur Tursunboyev played 77:42 in net, surrendering all four goals and making two saves to suffer the loss.

Shepard led all scorers with his three goals while Tuominen added the fourth score to pace Clayton State. Nakhli, Thornell and Evans each contributed an assist apiece on the offensive side. In goal, senior goalkeeper Viltsu Tuumi (Pori, Finland) played a scoreless 77:20 and made seven saves to collect his first win of the season.

The Lakers return home to face UNC Pembroke on Saturday, September 26. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. following the women's game at 5 p.m.

NOTES
UNC Pembroke will return to Laker Field for the second straight weekend after facing Montevallo in a neutral site contest on Saturday, September 19.