MORROW, Ga. – In a battle of evenly matched teams, Clayton State (5-5, 0-2 PBC) outlasted Erskine (4-7, 2-3 CC) as they notched a 3-2 overtime victory in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Wednesday, October 4.
 
Despite numerous attempts on net for both teams, the clubs went into the 38^th minute in a scoreless battle. That would change as Gaberiele Lanzani broke free down the right side and lined a ball off the keeper and into the net for a 1-0 lead at 37:23.
 
That one goal margin would hold into and past halftime as the teams battled through the first 12 minutes. Junior defender Kwaku Dwamena (Richmond, Va.), already tied for the Peach Belt Conference lead with six goals, would then deliver his seventh as he raced down the left side and fired off a shot just inside the 18-yard box. That would bang off the inside of the post and in to knot the game at 1-1 at 57:33.
 
Just eight minutes later, Dwamena would factor prominently in the go-ahead goal for the Lakers as he cross the ball from the right side deep in Erskine territory. That ball found the head of senior defender Jesse Parsons (Hertfordshire, England) who put it into the right corner for a 2-1 lead at 65:38.
 
It would be a fleeting advantage as EC responded almost immediately. After an offensive push, Dario Pavon collected a loose ball inside the 18 and proceeded to drill it into the center of the net to knot it at 2-2 with 67:06 gone by. From there the teams would be locked in and head to overtime at that same score.
 
Offense would be at a premium in that first 10 minute session as the Flying Fleet managed a pair of attempts while Clayton State had just one – none finding their way to the back of the net.
 
It would be all Lakers in the second overtime, however, as they quickly got of a pair of shots. It would be the third that would do the damage, however, as Dwamena capped off another stellar performance with a golden goal with 4:41 gone by in overtime. He collected a loose ball in front of the left side of the goal and pounded it home for the thrilling 3-2 victory.
 
Pavon and Lanzani accounted for the Erskine goals, both unassisted, while Grant Dickey and Louis Gueye led with three shots a piece. In goal, Mikael Varin played the first 97:58 before being forced from the game due to a lingering injury. He made 11 saves and allowed two goals before being replaced by Joseph Griffith in his first action of the season. In his 6:43 he would make no saves and allow the game-winning goal to fall to 0-1 on the year.
 
Dwamena was once again Clayton State's offensive force as he had a hand in all three scores on the night. He notched two of his own and assisted on a third while Parsons had the other score. Redshirt-senior goalkeeper Oliver Pannell (Nottingham, England) played all 104:41, allowing a pair of scores and making one save to improve to 3-5 on the year.
 
The Lakers play their final non-conference game on Saturday, October 7 and it is the most high profile game on their schedule. That day they will travel to NCAA Division II defending national champion Wingate for a 4 p.m. game.