MORROW, Ga. – Early and consistent first half offense paired with solid defense throughout was all Clayton State (4-3-2, 1-3-0 PBC) needed as they shutout Albany State (1-8) 3-0 in an NCAA Division II women's soccer game on Wednesday, October 3.
 
It wouldn't take the Lakers long to find the back of the net as junior defender Manoly Baquerizo (Guayaquil, Ecuador) raced into the offensive end. On the left wing, she crossed the ball to the center of the goal where freshman forward Isabel Massa (Caracas, Venezuela) powered it home for a 1-0 lead at the 4:25 mark.
 
Just over 21 minutes later they would move the digits on the scoreboard once again as freshman midfielder Pia Haug (Ytre Enebakk, Norway) did the honors. From about 25 yards out on the right wing she fired a deep shot that bounced off the keeper and the bottom of the crossbar before finding its way into the net for a 2-0 lead at 25:26.
 
They would not wait nearly as long before adding on. Less than three minutes later redshirt-junior midfielder Marie Durr (Stockbridge, Ga.) setup on that same right wing and lofted one into the box. That found the head of Baquerizo who put it home for a 3-0 lead at 28:18. The defenses would then take over as the teams took that margin to the break.
 
That scoreless drought would continue deep into the second half, so much so that it would be the second half. Neither team was able to find the net as the Lakers ripped off 11 shots to the Golden Rams two. Despite the continued offensive pressure, that 3-0 margin would go on to be the final.
 
ASU's offense would be measured in shots, which they would have only four of on the night, two in each half. Each would be put on net with Nicole Reynoso, Brittanie Evans, Sydney Bishop and Shanai Jackson-Brown recording one apiece. In net, Abby Whiteside played all 90 minutes, making 12 saves against three goals allowed to fall to 1-8.
 
Leading the way for Clayton State was junior defender Manoly Baquerizo (Guayaquil, Ecuador) who produced a goal and an assist while Massa and Haug both found the back of the net. Durr added an assist to round out the offense. Sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Richards (Huddersfield, England), when tested, was equal to the task as she made four saves in posting her second shutout of the year. She moves to 4-3-2 overall on the year.
 
The Lakers return to action on October 6 when they take on UNC Pembroke. Game time is set for 4 p.m. in Pembroke, North Carolina.
 
NOTES
This was only the second meeting between the clubs … ASU fielded a women's soccer program for the first time last year … in their meeting that season, Clayton State notched a commanding 8-0 decision … the Lakers have now outscored the Golden Rams 11-0 in the two games.
 

Albany State vs. Clayton State (10/3/18)