ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Faced with an eerily similar situation as this past Saturday, No. 5 seed Clayton State (8-8-1, 2-4-1 PBC) was the one that took advantage of a late header this time as they upended No. 4 seed Flagler (5-9-1, 4-3-0 PBC) by a 1-0 score in an NCAA Division II and Peach Belt Conference Quarterfinal men's soccer game on Tuesday, October 31.
 
Very much like their regular season finale this past weekend, it would be a nip-and-tuck affair between the teams as neither could get on the board in the first half. That trend would continue deep into the second half with the clubs combining for just 12 shots through the first 70 minutes.
 
That almost changed just into the 81^st minute as Flagler was awarded an indirect free kick inside the box, approximately seven yards off the left post. In response, the Lakers lined the goal line with seven players, in addition to the keeper. Facing Ndong Rostand, who scored the game-winner on Saturday, redshirt-senior goalkeeper Oliver Pannell (Nottingham, England) stonewalled him on a point blank attempt to preserve the tie at the 80:16 mark.
 
While there would be other opportunities by both teams, that would be the one that came closest to breaking the deadlock and would prove to be of tremendous import. Having lost just two days ago on a header in the final minutes of the finale, a decision that sent them right back to Flagler for today's game, it would be the Lakers that would return the favor when it counted most.
 
Coming off of an offensive push, sophomore forward Dean Foster (Johannesburg, South Africa) lined up for the second consecutive corner kicks, this one at the 88:56 mark. On the other end of the service into the box was the most unlikely of Lakers – 6-4 senior defender Karl Addie Jr. (Jonesboro, Ga.). He would put a head on it and drive the ball to the back of the net for a 1-0 lead with 55 seconds left.
 
Despite time remaining on the clock, that would be all she wrote for the Saints as time ran out on their season. With the win, Clayton State punched its ticket to Evans, Georgia and the semifinals for the first time since the 2014 season – an appearance which also came off of a quarterfinal victory over Flagler.
 
Held to just one shot in the first half, the Saints would net seven over the final 45 minutes. Leading that effort was Ndong with three, none on goal, and Quam Salami, who put both of his on net. Iwan Roberts played all 90 minutes in goal, allowing the lone score and making one save to finish the season at 3-5-0.
 
Clayton State produced just eight shots as a team, and only two on net, but made it count when they needed to. Addie, Jr. collected his first career goal of the assist from Foster to account for the offense. Making it possible for that goal to be the difference maker that it was, was Pannell between the pipes. In 90 minutes of action, he made a pair of saves – including one huge one – to pick up his second career shutout, both this year. He moves to 6-8-1 on the season.
 
"Credit to Flagler," said head coach Pete Petersen. "We tried to get that go-ahead goal before and they punched us in the mouth each time. They fought, tooth-and-nail, to the bitter end. I'm very proud of our fellas and so happy for Karl [Addie, Jr.]. Biggest goal of his career! Some logistical issues during the regular season meeting with Lander threw us off our game so we're looking forward to the rematch."
 
The Lakers now advance to the 2017 Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals to face No. 1 seed and regular season champion Lander (11-3-1, 6-0-1 PBC). Game time is set for 5 p.m. at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Georgia. Full coverage leading up to and through the team's stay in Evans will be available on www.ClaytonStateSports.com.
 
NOTES
The appearance marks Clayton State's 20^th trip to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament in the 21 years they have been eligible as full-fledged members of the league … it is the 12^th trip to the semifinals in that time … with having just played Flagler on Saturday, October 28, the game was the third time in program history the Lakers have faced the same opponent in back-to-back games … the first came in 1997 when they traveled to USC-Spartanburg (now USC Upstate) for the regular season finale and PBC opener … the most recent was a pair of games at home against Lander in 2007 … Clayton State won the PBC Championship, 3-2 in overtime, in the first game before dropping a 1-0 decision in the first round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.