DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Faced with a steady offensive approach, Clayton State (2-5-1, 1-1-0 PBC) could not battle back against North Georgia (4-3-1, 1-1-0 PBC) as they dropped a 5-2 decision in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Saturday, September 29.
 
After 17 minutes of scoreless play to get things going, the Nighthawks would strike first as Alex Grant took a pass from Gabriel Garcia in the 18^th minute. He would then convert that for a 1-0 lead at the 17:13 mark.
 
It wouldn't stay that way for long, however, as it would be Garcia on the receiving end just over four minutes later. Prince Domafriyie found him in front of the goal and he promptly buried it for a 2-0 margin with 21:29 gone by.
 
Just over 11 minutes later UNG would keep up their steady offensive push as Domafriyie struck again. At the start of the 33^rd minute he would cross a ball to the left side that Eren Ozer put a head on to drive home for a 3-0 lead at 32:11.
 
With 40:37 of the clock, the Lakers would take advantage of a foul in the box that gave them a penalty kick. Sophomore midfielder Mitro Turunen (Vantaa, Finland) would take advantage of that opportunity and drill it to the back of the net for a 3-1 margin that the teams would then take to the half.
 
In the second half it would take nearly 30 minutes before there would be any more scoring. Once again it would come in the form of Garcia who drove one home at the 78:46 mark for a 4-1 lead. Less than two minutes later though Clayton State would again be the beneficiary of a foul in the box.
 
This time it would be senior defender Kwaku Dwamena (Lorton, Va.) stepping up. He powered home his fourth score of the season to cut it to 4-2 with 80:33 gone by. North Georgia would not allow the momentum to shift, however, as Domafriyie notched a score at the 88:32 mark to close out the 5-2 victory.
 
On the day, Garcia led the Nighthawks with a pair of goals and an assist while Domafriyie delivered a goal and two assists. Grant and Ozer each added solo scores to wrap up the offense. Defensively, Matt Sharman played all 90 minutes and made 10 saves against a pair of goals allowed to improve to 4-2-1.
 
Turunen and Dwamena accounted for all of the Clayton State scoring as each converted on a penalty kick. Dwamena fired off a team-high six shots, putting five on net. Junior goalkeeper Leuri Fraire (Dalton, Ga.) went the distance, playing all 90 minutes and allowing five goals while making four saves. He is 1-4-1 on the year.
 
The Lakers conclude their two game road trip when they head to Erskine on Wednesday, October 3. Game time is set for 6 p.m. in Due West, South Carolina.