MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State (0-1, 0-0 PBC) battled Queens (1-0, 0-0 SAC) in a scoreless deadlock for better than 100 minutes before finally surrendering the go-ahead goal in double overtime, falling 1-0 in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Thursday, August 30.
 
In the first half, junior goalkeeper Leuri Fraire (Dalton, Ga.) made seven saves as the Royals fired off 11 shots before freshman goalkeeper Kari Puustinen (Orimattila, Finland) took over in the second half. He would continue the Lakers stonewall approach as he turned away eight more shots from QUC in the next 45 minutes, making four saves in the process, including some in dramatic fashion.
 
That play would be much needed in the first overtime period as Queens erupted for six shots in 10 minutes. Four of those would come from Edmundo Robinson, three of which would require a save. That outburst resulted in another four total saves for Puustinen and sent the teams to a final frame.
 
In double overtime the Royals and Robinson wasted no time. Alberto Morales rifled off a shot in the first 38 seconds only to have it blocked. Their second, and final shot, would come off the foot of Robinson less than a minute later as he collected a ball on the right side and buried it into the far left corner for a dramatic 1-0 victory.
 
A major storyline came in the 63^rd minute as junior defender Jordan Knight (Javea, Spain) picked up his second yellow card. That resulted in not only his ejection but also the first missed playing time in his two-plus year career. The Lakers then battled the way they did for more than 37 minutes in the late August heat with only 10 men on the field.
 
Robinson led Queens with the one goal and fired off 12 of their 27 shots, putting eight on net. He was joined by Morales with five shots, all but one of which was on cage. Sebastian Kalk played all 102 minutes and made a pair of saves to pick up the win and move to 1-0 on the year.
 
Freshman Brad Kay (Manchester, England) led Clayton State with a pair of shots, one on net while senior defender Kwaku Dwamena (Richmond, Va.) had the only other shot on goal. Fraire finished with seven saves in 45 minutes while Puustinen logged the other 57 minutes, making eight saves and allowing the lone score.
 
The Lakers are right back in action on Saturday, September 1 when they host Carson-Newman. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Laker Field.
 

Queens (N.C.) vs. Clayton State (8/30/18)