AIKEN, S.C. – In a "win-and-in" game, Clayton State (5-8, 2-6 PBC) could not recover from a two goal first half deficit as they dropped a 2-1 decision at USC Aiken (4-11, 2-7 PBC) in an NCAA Division II women's soccer game on Saturday, October 21.
 
The Lakers entered the game needing a win to lock up a berth in the 2017 Peach Belt Conference Tournament but would not find an easy mark in USCA. Following more than 27 minutes of scoreless play, the Pacers took advantage of foul in the box at the 27:50 mark. Leading scorer Catherine McHale lined up for that high percentage attempt and drilled it to the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
 
That margin would grow to 2-0 just before the half as Sarah Drury found Amanda Raleigh for her first goal of the season, this with 41:03 gone by. The teams would head to the half with that score and it would stay that way until the 68^th minute.
 
At the 67:15 mark, sophomore defender Janne Brouer (Aarhus, Denmark) would get Clayton State back in the game. She drove up the left side of the field before burying a shot from 10 yards out to cut it to 2-1. It would be her fourth score of the season, but first that was not a penalty kick. That would be as close as they would get, however, as USCA would hold them without another shot the rest of the way to lock up the narrow one goal victory.
 
McHale and Raleigh led the Pacers with a goal apiece while Drury notched the lone assist on the day to round out the offense. In net, Karin Cadwalader played all 90 minutes and made six saves against one goal allowed. She improves to 2-7 on the year.
 
Clayton State was led by Brouer's goal and sophomore defender Manoly Baquerizo (Guayaquil, Ecuador) fired off four shots, all on net. Freshman midfielder Ann-Cathrin Zabel (Schwarme, Germany) led the club with five total shots. Redshirt-senior goalkeeper Jessica Charman (Harefield, England) went the distance, surrendering the two goals while making four saves. She is now 4-8.
 
The Lakers return home for the final time this season when they host North Georgia in a key Peach Belt Conference game on Wednesday, October 25. That game is slated for a 5 p.m. start and will also serve as Senior Night.
 
NOTES
Clayton State entered the game needing a win to lock up a spot in the 2017 Peach Belt Conference Tournament … now tied with USC Aiken and Francis Marion for the final spot, and with the Pacers holding the head-to-head advantage, they face an uphill battle as they take on North Georgia and No. 9 Flagler.