MORROW, Ga. – Taking on one of the top teams in the nation, Clayton State (2-10-2, 1-5-0 PBC) battled No. 7 Lander (12-1-2, 5-1-0 PBC) for more than a half before falling by a 4-0 score in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Wednesday, October 24.
 
Both teams would have opportunities over the first 45 minutes but it would be the Bearcats registering nine shots with four on frame. Meanwhile the Lakers would manage just three shots but put two of those on net as the clubs battled to a 0-0 deadlock at the break.
 
That would change just over five minutes into the second half, however, as Thibault Chretien secured a ball deep along the right wing in the offensive end. From there he crossed the ball to the left side of the goalmouth where Sia Jamedar knocked it in over the outstretched hands of the keeper for a 1-0 lead at the 50:10 mark.
 
It would help ignite the LU offense and Chretien would play a role in their second goal just minutes later. The big footed Oliver Brock got deep in the Lakers end and crossed from the right corner to the left side of the goal. There, Chretien proceeded to drill the ball into the upper netting to make it 2-0 with 52:31 gone by.
 
The Lakers defense would settle back in over the next 20 minutes but it would be another Brock pass that would be their undoing in the 74^th minute. Once again playing the ball to the left side, this time he found Jordan Skelton for a three goal lead at the 73:56 mark.
 
The Bearcats would then round out the scoring a little more than seven minutes later as Joe Conway freed up Lars Kveseth in the midfield at the top of the box. The latter drove in on the charging keeper, sidestepped to the left and drove the ball to the right corner to reach the eventual final margin of 4-0 with under nine to play.
 
Lander was led by a balanced attack as Kveseth, Skelton, Jamedar and Chretien each notched solo scores. The later would add an assist for a three point day while Brock delivered a pair of assists. Conway rounded out the offense with his assist. Jacob Withers played all 90 minutes in net, making a pair of saves and earning a clean sheet to improve to 7-1-2.
 
Clayton State managed just six shots on the day, two on goal, and was led by sophomore midfielder Mitro Turunen (Vantaa, Finland) with two shots and one on frame. Senior defender Kwaku Dwamena (Lorton, Va.) had the only other shot on goal. In net, freshman goalkeeper Kari Puustinen (Orimattila, Finland) made eight saves while surrendering four goals in 90 minutes to fall to 1-6.
 
The Lakers wrap up the regular season on Saturday, October 27 in a winner take all game at USC Aiken. That game is set to determine which club will get the final spot in the 2018 Peach Belt Conference Tournament. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. in Aiken, South Carolina.
 
NOTES
Dwamena was honored as Clayton State's lone senior prior to the game … also before the game, Clayton State Athletics recognized the game's three officials on Peach Belt Conference Officials Appreciation Day.
 

Men's Soccer Senior Day

 

Soccer Officials Appreciation Day

No. 7 Lander vs. Clayton State (10/24/18)

-