MORROW, Ga. – In their home opener, Clayton State (2-1, 0-0 PBC) paired a tremendous defensive performance with solid offensive work to blank Montevallo (1-2, 0-0 GSC) by a 3-0 score in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Thursday, September 7.
 
Following more than 16 minutes of scoreless play, it would be a veteran setting up a newcomer as redshirt-senior forward Sekou Thornell (Atlanta, Ga.) found sophomore forward Dean Foster (Johannesburg, South Africa) at the top of the arc. From there he lofted the ball over the keeper and to the back of the net for his second goal of the year and a 1-0 lead at the 16:20 mark.
 
Over the final 39-plus minutes, UM would manage just one shot and the Lakers only four to head to the half with that one goal margin. It would take 14 minutes in the second half but Clayton State would strike again. Junior midfielder Tom Mitchinson (Middlesbrough, England) collected a loose ball just behind the arc on the right side and proceeded to fire a shot past the keeper to make it 2-0 at 59:19.
 
The Lakers defense would continue their dominance, keeping the score right there and putting themselves in position to extend their lead with less 10 minutes to play. After picking up another loose ball and starting a rush down field, Clayton State would get on the board again.
 
Freshman forward Tristan Shytle (Columbus, Ga.) dished to fellow freshman forward Isaac Pimenta (Kennesaw, Ga.) on the right side. He then rifled the ball past the Falcons' keeper to put the game away at 3-0 with 80:48 gone by to provide the final margin of victory.
 
Cesare Marconi came the closes to providing offense for UM as he finished with three shots, two on goal, while Liam Moore had a pair of shots, both on net. In goal, Robert Kuta played all 90 minutes and surrendered all three goals while making five saves to drop to 2-1.
 
Clayton State's offense was fueled by three solo goals from Foster, Mitchinson and Pimenta while Shytle and Thornell each picked up an assist.Redshirt-senior goalkeeper Oliver Pannell (Nottingham, England) was masterful in goal, going the distance and making five saves to earn his first clean sheet as a Laker. He improves to 2-1 on year.
 
The Lakers stay at home was brief as they hit the road to take on Carson-Newman (1-1, 0-0 SAC) in non-conference action on Saturday, September 9. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. in Jefferson City, Tenn.
 
NOTES
The shutout is the first by the Lakers since a 2-0 blanking of Francis Marion at Laker Field on October 18, 2015 … the victory snaps a three game home losing streak to Montevallo dating back to September 26, 2012.