MORROW, Ga. – With 19 seconds remaining on the clock and overtime staring them down, Clayton State (2-0, 0-0 PBC) made sure they would not need to go beyond regulation as junior defender Manoly Baquerizo (Guayaquil, Ecuador) put home the game winner off a corner in a thrilling 1-0 victory over a good Valdosta State (1-1, 0-0 GSC) team in an NCAA Division II women's soccer game on Sunday, September 2.
 
An even battle right from the get go, both teams would have opportunities but neither could capitalize on them. A near mirror performance throughout the game, the Blazers posted five shots in the first half while the Lakers had four. VSU would maintain that advantage in shots in the second half, 7-6 over the final 45 minutes, but it would be a save that would make Baquerizo's heroics possible.
 
With 84:40 gone by Clayton State charged into the offensive end and were fouled inside the box, resulting in the most high percentage scoring opportunity there is – the penalty kick. Stepping up was junior defender Janne Brouer (Aarhus, Denmark), who went a perfect 3-for-3 last season. This time, on an attempt to the right, Valdosta State keeper Caroline Embler would be equal to the task as she made the save to keep it deadlocked.
 
The Lakers would keep up the offensive pressure while not allowing VSU anything at the other end of the field. With 29 seconds left they would benefit from another foul, this one bringing about a corner kick. Strong legged freshman midfielder Moa Loftman (Karlstad, Sweden) took that kick and placed it on the far side of the net – right to the waiting foot of Baquerizo who promptly drilled it home for an improbable 1-0 lead. A defensive stand then made that stand up for a 2-0 start to the season.
 
It's getting to be something of a habit with Baquerizo to expect the game winner in a 1-0 game on the lone home Sunday contest of the season. Last year, against Division I The Citadel no less, she had the game winner in a 1-0 victory on Sunday, September 10, although that one did come in the first half.
 
Ashley Lewis paced VSU with three shots, two of which were on net, while Carley Montgomery put both of her shots on the keeper. Embler went the distance in goal as she made four saves against the one goal allowed to drop to 1-1 on the season.
 
Baquerizo led the Lakers offense with her one goal while Loftman picked up the assist. Brouer anchored a shutout defense and posted three shots with two landing on net and sophomore midfielder Ann-Cathrin Zabel (Schwarme, Germany) added a pair of shots with one on goal.
 
In between the pipes, sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Richards (Huddersfield, England) delivered the second shutout of her career and first in a Clayton State uniform. She played all 90 minutes and made eight saves to improve to 2-0 on the season.
 
The Lakers return to action next weekend when they head to Milledgeville, Georgia for the Bobcat Invitational from September 7-9. They will open with West Georgia at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 7 before taking on former Peach Belt Conference member Montevallo at 12 p.m. on Sunday, September 9.
 
NOTES
In 24 seasons of action, this marks just the sixth time the team has started 2-0 … it was accomplished previously in 2016, 2012, 2005, 2004 and 2002 … the 2007 squad also started 3-0-1 with the tie coming in their second game of the year.
 

Valdosta State vs. Clayton State (9/2/18)