MONTEVALLO, Ala. – It took more than 97 minutes, but when the score finally moved off of identical zeros, it would be Clayton State (5-2-1, 2-1-0 PBC) that was on the winning end of a 1-0 score as they handed Montevallo (2-6, 0-3) a heart wrenching defeat in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Wednesday, September 30.

A regulation 90 minutes would not be enough to decide the matter as the teams tallied a combined 17 shots with none finding the back of the net. Entering the extra session, UM came out firing as Zach Keller put one right on goal, forcing a save from senior goalkeeper Viltsu Tuumi (Pori, Finland) just 1:17 in.

Following a pair of fouls by the Lakers, Montevallo's Sebastian Krauss took a shot at the 92:41 mark that was blocked. From there, it would be four straight fouls on the Falcons, with the last being extremely costly. That miscue came in the box, putting senior midfielder Avery Shepard (Kennesaw, Ga.) in line for a penalty kick.

With 97:26 gone by in a scoreless deadlock, Shepard, the reigning Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week, drilled home the game-winner for a 1-0 decision. The score was his fifth in his last three games and league leading sixth of the season.

Leading the way for UM was Moritz Wagner with three shots, two on net, and Marcel Fahrenholz and Kraus, each of whom had a pair of shots and one on goal. Yannic Horn played all 97:18 in net, surrendering the lone goal and making a two saves to drop to 2-6.

Shepard was the offensive story for Clayton State as he delivered the game-winner in the 98th minute, giving the club its third straight win. In goal, current PBC Goalkeeper of the Week Tuumi was masterful, turning away seven shots to earn the shutout victory. His scoreless 97:18 moved him to 3-1-1 on the year.

The Lakers will return to action on Monday, October 5 after enjoying a rare off weekend. When they make their return it will be against Emmanuel at 7:30 p.m. at Laker Field.