DUE WEST, S.C. – Trailing for most of the game, Clayton State (2-8, 0-4 PBC) saved the best for last as they delivered a pair of late scores to flip the script and turn a one goal deficit into a one goal lead in a 3-2 victory at Erskine (5-4, 3-1 CC) in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Wednesday, October 5.
 
Both team's defenses would be equal to the task early on but it would be the Flying Fleet that would get on the board first as Cameron Whitehurst found Daniel Jonna for the go-ahead goal at 22:15. Less than a minute later, however, the Lakers would deliver the equalizer as senior forward Bilal Nakhli (Paris, France) found junior midfielder Ryan King (County Durham, England) for his fifth goal of the year, this one at 23:13 to knot it at 1-1.
 
Erskine would regain the lead shortly before half though as Josh Heyfield found Louis Gueye in front of the goal. Heyfield put through a cross that Gueye then headed in for a 2-1 advantage at 38:41. The teams would then take that margin to the break.
 
After being stifled for more than 60 minutes, Clayton State's offense would break through late in the second half and do it in a big way as the team leaders made it happen. The club's captains, King and graduate forward Iain Smith (Suwanee, Ga.), would connect for the game-tying goal as King found Smith in front of the net at 85:22.
 
With the game evened out, the Lakers didn't stop there as freshman midfielder Will Summerfield (Bedford, England) capitalized on a free kick at 87:56, burying in the back of the net for the eventual game-winner. The defense would make sure it would be as they prevented any similar comeback by the Flying Fleet in securing the 3-2 come-from-behind victory.
 
King, Smith and Summerfield would each deliver a solo goal to lead Clayton State with King adding an assist along with Nakhli. That effort gave freshman goalkeeper Leuri Fraire (Dalton, Ga.) his second win of the year after playing all 90 minutes and allowing two goals against five saves. He improves to 2-4 on the year.
 
Erskine was led by Jonna and Gueye with a goal each and Heyfield and Whitehurst notched an assist apiece to round out the offense. C.J. Cluck went the distance in goal and made one save while allowing all three goals.
 
The Lakers face their toughest opponent of the season when they return home on Monday, October 10. That night they will host No. 6 Wingate (7-0, 5-0 SAC). The Bulldogs have been one of the top teams in the nation and just moved up four spots in the national rankings. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Laker Field.
 
NOTES
The 2016 schedule is regarded as the toughest in the 25-year history of the program … among this year's opponents the Lakers have already faced, three have national rankings in Tampa (No. 7), Barry (No. 11) and Palm Beach Atlantic (No. 25) … yet to come are No. 6 Wingate (10/10 at home) and No. 9 Limestone (10/15 on the road) … with the win, the Lakers are now 9-2 against Erskine dating back to the first meeting on September 13, 1997 … they have won nine of the last 10 games, including five straight.