MORROW, Ga. – Taking on one of the top teams in the Peach Belt Conference, Clayton State (1-5, 0-1 PBC) could not overcome a three goal blitz in the first half by Lander (2-3, 1-0 PBC) as they fell 3-1 in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Saturday, September 17.
 
It took just over 16 minutes for the Bearcats to find their offense - but when they did it was potent. Over a six minute stretch they would pound in three goals, beginning with an unassisted score by Hugo Delhommelle at 16:51.
 
Following that play, Sinclaire Sandy ripped a shot from the wing that George Knight put a head on right in front of the net, ticking it past the keeper for a 2-0 advantage at the 19:43 mark. That stretch of offense would come to a close exactly three minutes later as Delhommelle found Jamie North, who then barreled a low line drive past the keeper for a 3-0 advantage.
 
Not only would that remain the score at half, but up until the 56^th minute before the Lakers finally broke through. Junior midfielder Ryan King (County Durham, England) delivered his team-leading fourth score of the year when graduate forward Iain Smith (Suwanee, Ga.) fed him a pass from the right side, connecting at the 55:14 mark. They would then muster five shots the rest of the way as the Bearcats defense turned that 3-1 lead into a final 34 minutes later.
 
King produced the only offense for Clayton State with his second half goal with Smith picking up the assist. Smith also led the team with three shots, all on goal. In net, freshman goalkeeper Leuri Fraire (Dalton, Ga.) played all 90 minutes, surrendering three goals while making four saves to drop to 1-1 on the year.
 
For the Bearcats, Delhommelle led the way with a goal and an assist while Knight and North notched the other scores. Sandy added an assist to round out the offense and Dean Cowdroy made six saves against one goal allowed in 90 minutes. He moves to 2-3 on the season.
 
The Lakers hit the road for one of their longest trips of the season on Wednesday, September 21 when they head to UNC Pembroke. With the length of the trip, game time is slated for a special time of approximately 3:30 p.m. following the women's contest against the Braves.