MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State (2-6-2, 1-2-0 PBC) recovered from allowing a first half goal but one in the second was the difference maker as Flagler (2-6-2, 2-1-0 PBC) pulled out a narrow 2-1 victory in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Saturday, October 6.
 
While both teams were active in the first half offensively, firing off a combined 13 shots, it would be the Saints Oscar Davidsson that would be the only player to put one home. With 22:06 gone by he took a pass from Cameron Silbar on the left side and played it into the back right corner of the net for a 1-0 Flagler lead.
 
That margin would hold up through the half and into the second before FC took advantage of another scoring opportunity. Following an attempted clear, Kyle Doherty intercepted the ball in the middle of the field, advanced it to the right wing and then centered it to Tryggvi Magnusson. The latter than drove it to the short left corner for a 2-0 lead with 66:07 gone by.
 
The Lakers offense would finally break through in the 75^th minute as freshman forward Brad Kay (Manchester, England) charged into the offensive end. He was able to get a one-on-one with the keeper only to get stonewalled. It wasn't completely successful for the keeper, however, as the ball rebounded off him – right to Kay. He quickly collected it, stepped left and drilled the ball to the back of the net, dead center, to make it 2-1 at the 74:12 mark.
 
Over the final 24-plus minutes, though, that would just about be it for the Lakers as they managed four shots. One would be blocked, another go high and the last two, both in the final three minutes, went left as the Saints held on for a 2-1 decision.
 
Flagler was led by scores from Davidsson and Magnusson while Doherty and Silbar each picked up an assist to round out the offense. Iwan Roberts played all 90 minutes in net, making five saves against just the one goal allowed. He improves to 3-4 on the year.
 
For the Lakers, Kay's goal would be the only offense from their 13 shots, six of which were on net. He would lead in both categories with six and four, respectively. Making his second career start, freshman goalkeeper Kari Puustinen (Orimattila, Finland) went the distance and allowed just the two scores while making six saves to drop to 1-2.
 
The Lakers now hit the road to face a familiar foe in former Peach Belt Conference member Montevallo on Wednesday, October 10. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (EST) in Montevallo, Alabama.
 
NOTES
The one goal margin is the fifth straight such game between the two teams … that stretch began on September 19, 2015 and includes four wins by the Saints and last year's 1-0 PBC Quarterfinal win by the Lakers.
 

Flagler vs. Clayton State (10/6/18)