AIKEN, S.C. – Junior forward Denisha Paskell (McDonough, Ga.) had a game unlike any in the history of the program as she broke a 20-year old record with four assists as Clayton State (5-2, 0-0 PBC) demolished Division I Francis Marion (2-10) by a 5-0 score in an NCAA women's soccer game on Wednesday, September 23.

Paskell accomplished the feat on four consecutive goals and surpasses the previous mark set by Jamie Goetz against Agnes Scott on November 1, 1996. That record was set during the program's second year of existence. It was later tied by current Laker Saidhbh Collins (Dublin, Ireland) on September 10, 2013 against West Georgia.

After more than 20 minutes of scoreless play, the Lakers ended that drought in a matter of minutes. In the 22nd minute, Paskell crossed the ball to the foot of junior defender Siobhan Wilson (Essex, England), who promptly buried it into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead at the 21:39 mark.

Just 2:18 later, the Peach Belt Conference's leading scorer, senior midfielder Maria Marti Bartis (Girona, Spain), benefited from Paskell's second assist as she blasted home her sixth goal of the year for a 2-0 lead with 23:57 gone by. That lead would hold through halftime and then Clayton State's offense would ignite once again.

Senior midfielder Brooke Bortles (Suwanee, Ga.) was the beneficiary as things got going just over seven minutes into the second half as her goal at 52:13 made it 3-0. In the 75th minute, Paskell would strike once again, this time delivering her record setting fourth assist of the game on a goal by senior midfielder Rachael Schmidt (Snellville, Ga.) at the 74:35 mark.

Already with their highest offensive production of the season, the Lakers weren't done yet. With just under four minutes to play, senior defender Lucy Cunningham (Formby, Liverpool, England) would add the finishing touches with a goal off a pass from junior midfielder Claudia Granja (Barcelona, Spain). From there, the defense would close out their third shutout of the season, and second consecutive, at 5-0.

The Patriots managed just three shots on the night with only two coming on goal. Shauna Griffin had the latter while Tori Whigham and Helena Moore had one shot apiece. Taylor O'Berry played all 90 minutes in goal, allowing all four goals and making 10 saves to drop to 2-10 on the year.

Paskell led the way for Clayton State with her record-setting four assist outburst, an effort that led to solo goals for Wilson, Marti Bartis, Bortles and Schmidt. Cunningham had the only other score while Granja picked up the assist on that play.

In net, senior goalkeeper Charlotte McCormack (Wexford, Ireland) played 45 minutes, making one save to move to 5-2 on the season. Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Charman (Denham, England) played the final 45 minutes, also making one save.

The Lakers return to action on Saturday, September 26 when they host UNC Pembroke. Game time is set for 5 p.m. at Laker Field.

NOTES
Francis Marion women's soccer is an elevated program competing at the NCAA Division I level … the victory is the Lakers third in the all-time series and first since October 21, 2002 when they earned the second of two 2-1 wins … the other came on October 13, 2001 … Clayton State and FMU last met on October 23, 2005 when they tied 1-1.