MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State (11-4-0, 3-1-0 PBC) men's soccer will face their toughest challenge in one of their most important games of the season as they head to No. 7 Francis Marion (11-2-1, 3-1-0 PBC) on Saturday, November 2. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. in Florence, South Carolina.

The teams currently sit tied atop the Peach Belt Conference standings with nine points apiece and are joined by No. 15 Young Harris (9-3-0, 3-1-0 PBC) and No. 25 Lander (9-3-2, 3-1-0 PBC). Each team has three games to go and the Lakers will face the Bearcats in their next outing.
 
It will also be a meeting of the league's top two keepers in junior goalkeeper Theo Blachon (St. Etienne, France) and FMU's Maximiliano Rocco. Both are tied for fifth in the country with eight shutouts and, between them, pretty much appear in the top two statistical categories for every meaningful keeper stat in the league.
 
In terms of series history, the one with Francis Marion is one of the longest in program history. Clayton State trails the all-time series at 10-13-6 over 29 games with the Patriots dating back to the first meeting on October 8, 1993. After going 0-7-2 in the first nine meetings, Clayton State rebounded for an impressive 12 game unbeaten streak from November 1, 2003 through October 13, 2012.
 
That stretch included three straight ties from October 27, 2007 to October 11, 2009. Most recently, FMU has won the last three, and six of the last eight, picking up a 5-3 victory at Laker Field on October 1, 2016, a narrow 2-1 decision in Florence, South Carolina on September 30, 2017 and 6-1 win in Morrow on October 20, 2018.

NATIONAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS
As of the October 31 release, Clayton State is sixth in the nation in save percentage (.852), is 16^th in shutout percentage (.533) and 26^th in goals against average (.798). Offensively they are fourth in total goals (42) and total points (114), seventh in scoring offense (2.80), ninth in points per game (7.6), 17^th in total assists (30) and 19^th in assists per game (2.0).
 
Individually, Blachon is fifth in the nation in shutouts with eight, eighth in save percentage (.846), 26^th in total saves (66) and 27^th in goals against average (0.798). Offensively, redshirt-senior midfielder Ryan King (County Durham, England) checks in at fifth in goals per game (1.00), 10^th in points per game (2.17), 11^th in total goals (12) and 16^th in total points (26).
 
COVERAGE
Coverage of the game will be available through live stats and live video. Both are available on www.ClaytonStateSports.com as well.

Scouting The Clayton State University Lakers
Record: 11-4-0, 3-1-0 PBC
Last Time Out: W, 8-0 vs. North Greenville on October 29
Streak: One Win

Quick Links
Men's Soccer Home Page
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
 
Individual Statistical Offensive Leaders
Goals: Ryan King – 12
Assists: Geo Rios – 4
Points: Ryan King – 26
 
Individual Statistical Goalkeeper Leaders
Minutes: Theo Blachon  – 1,354:05
Save Percentage: Theo Blachon – .846
Goals Against Average: Theo Blachon – 0.80
Saves: Theo Blachon – 66
Wins: Theo Blachon – 11
Shutouts: Theo Blachon – 8
 
Team Offensive Statistics
Goals: 42
Assists: 30
Points: 114
 
Team Defensive Statistics
Goals Against Average: 0.80
Save Percentage: .859
Shutouts: 8


Scouting The Francis Marion University Patriots
Record: 11-2-1, 3-1-0 PBC
Last Time Out: W, 2-1 (OT) at Coker on October 30
Streak: Six Wins
 
Quick Links
Men's Soccer Home Page
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
 
Individual Statistical Offensive Leaders
Goals: Javier Bello – 6
Assists: Jafet Santiago – 5
Points: Javier Bello, Jafet Santiago – 13
 
Individual Statistical Goalkeeper Leaders
Minutes: Maximiliano Rocco – 1,217:44
Save Percentage: Maximiliano Rocco - .854
Goals Against Average: Maximiliano Rocco – 0.44
Saves: Maximiliano Rocco – 35
Wins: Maximiliano Rocco – 11
Shutouts: Maximiliano Rocco – 8
 
Team Offensive Statistics
Goals: 27
Assists: 21
Points: 75
 
Team Defensive Statistics
Goals Against Average: 0.54
Save Percentage: .854
Shutouts: 8