MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State (7-3-0, 1-0-0 PBC) led one of the best teams in the country for more than a half and largely controlled play much of the way but 1:33 at the start of the second half allowed No. 8 Lynn (8-0-1, 4-0-1 SSC) to escape with a narrow 2-1 victory in an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Saturday, October 12.
 
In a battle of two of the top defensive teams in the country, both would live up to that billing early on but it would be the Lakers that would strike first. Graduate defender Josh Rodgers (New Castle, England) knifed through three defenders just past midfield, drove up field and powered a right footed shot just inside the right post and past the keeper for a 1-0 lead at the 12:26 mark.
 
Following that offensive breakthrough both clubs would be back to their defensive ways as Clayton State took that 1-0 lead to the half. Out of the half it would be a different story completely.
 
In the first 1:33 of play, the Fighting Knights would be just that as they fought back from down one to up 2-1. The equalizer would come in the form of former Francis Marion player Levin Sandmann at 45:49 as he capitalized on a double assist from Lukas Ostermann and Alexandre Horveno to make it 1-1.
 
In a blink, Lynn would have the lead as Ostermann took it himself as he crashed in from the right side with 46:33 gone by. He would then drive the ball to the right corner of the net for a 2-1 advantage.
 
Despite several hard charges into the offensive end by the Lakers throughout the second half, including in the final minutes, they would not be able to overcome that barrage as they fell by that one goal margin.
 
The Fighting Knights fired off 25 shots, 13 on goal, and were led by Lukas Ostermann with a goal and an assist. Sandmann added a score and Horveno notched the only other assist to account for the offense. In net, Konstantin Fuhry was masterful, playing all 90 minutes and allowing just one score against four saves. He improves to 7-0-1 on the year.
 
Rodgers led the Lakers with his first career goal while redshirt-senior midfielder Ryan King (County Durham, England) registered two of the club's five shots on goal. Facing one of the best teams in the country, junior goalkeeper Theo Blachon (St. Etienne, France) surrendered a rare two goal game as he made a career-high 10 saves in 90 minutes. He is now 7-3 on the season.
 
Clayton State is right back in action on Wednesday, October 16 when they head to Franklin Springs, Georgia to take on Emmanuel in non-. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.
 
NOTES
The Lakers played in front of more than 50 former players on hand for Alumni Weekend … the game also included the return of former coach John Rootes (1998-2003) at the helm of Lynn.

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