MORROW, Ga. – Deadlocked at 1-1 late in the second half, Clayton State (1-7, 0-3 PBC) surrendered the eventual game-winning goal as Montevallo (6-2, 2-2 PBC) benefitted from a no-call in the box to pull out a 2-1 decision in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Wednesday, September 28.
 
The Falcons would strike first following more than 17 minutes of scoreless play as Patrick Morton got a head on a ball in front of the goal at 17:28. In the same instant Oliver Cylkowski drilled it home with a header of his own for a 1-0 lead from the right side.
 
It would take nearly the rest of the half but the Lakers would come up with the equalizer with 41:20 gone by. Captain and graduate forward Iain Smith (Suwanee, Ga.) collected a ball straight away dead center from the goal mouth and hit a hard line drive that found the nylon to even the game at 1-1. The teams would then take that score into the break.
 
It would be a score that would persist into the second half, right up until about 15 minutes remaining. With 15:05 on the clock, Rob McNeal appeared to knock the ball down with his hand in the box. Right after that play he hammered the ball into the back of the net for a 2-1 lead. That would be all they would need, however, as the defense turned away three shots down the stretch to secure the victory.
 
Smith would provide all of the offense for Clayton State as he drilled his fifth goal of the season in the 42^nd minute. Defensively, freshman goalkeeper Leuri Fraire (Dalton, Ga.) allowed both goals and made a pair of saves while dropping to 1-3 on the season.
 
Cylkowski and McNeal led UM with a goal apiece and Morton notched an assist to comprise the offense. Robert Kuta played a strong 90 minutes in net, making nine saves and allowing just the one score to improve to 6-2 on the year.
 
The Lakers conclude their brief two game homestand on Saturday, October 1 when they host Francis Marion. Game time is set for approximately 7:30 p.m. following the women's game against the Patriots.
 
NOTES
At halftime, Clayton State recognized the 61 student-athletes that achieved at least a 3.0 grade point average for the Spring 2016 semester … that group will also be honored at the Breakfast of Champions at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, September 30.