MORROW, Ga. – No. 3 seed Clayton State (14-5, 5-2 PBC) has earned their way to the 2019 Peach Belt Conference Men's Soccer Tournament Semifinals for a third straight season and will take on No. 2 seed Lander (11-4-2, 5-2-0 PBC) on Friday, November 15. Game time is set for 8 p.m. at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Georgia.
 
The Lakers earned their 22^nd berth in 23 years with an impressive regular season that had them within one game of a co-championship. The club made the tournament for 19 straight seasons from 1997-2015 and during that time they won three championships, including 2000, 2005 and 2007. They have advanced to at least the semifinals for 14 seasons, including the past two seasons when they faced Lander.
 
In terms of the all-time series against Lander, the Lakers trail 8-22-3 following a pair of losses last season and one this year. It marked the second straight year that had happened as the clubs met in the PBC Semifinals in 2017 and 2018.
 
The latter 2-0 victory on November 2 of last season ran the Bearcats win streak to seven straight dating back to October 10, 2015 and the narrow 1-0 decision in Greenwood, South Carolina on November 5 made it eight consecutive. That is part of a larger stretch of 11 wins in the last 12 meetings back to September 17, 2011.
 
Over their last 17 games in the series, LU has posted a 14-2-1 record with the Lakers notching a 1-0 victory on October 30, 2010 and 2-0 decision on October 11, 2014. Both of those came at Laker Field.
 
In what has been a preview of the postseason in recent years, the series also includes an extensive history in the PBC Tournament. The teams have met seven times with the Bearcats holding a 5-2 advantage. They have won the last four, including last year's semifinal meeting.
 
Prior to that it was a 3-1 decision for a No. 12 Lander team on November 3, 2015. That game was in Greenwood, South Carolina while the last PBC Tournament meeting prior to it on November 6, 2009 was the first meeting in Evans, Georgia. LU claimed a 2-1, double overtime victory in the semifinals that year.

The Lakers took two of the first three meetings, earning a 2-1 semifinal win on November 4, 2000 before being blanked 4-0 in quarterfinal action on November 6, 2002. On November 4, 2007, however, they would post a 3-2 overtime win at Laker Field to earn the PBC Tournament Championship.
 
NATIONAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS
As of the November 12 release, Clayton State is 11^th in the nation in save percentage (.833), is 33^rd in shutout percentage (.421) and 37^th in goals against average (.879). Offensively they are sixth in total goals (50), 8^th in total points (135), 10^th in scoring offense (2.63), 14^th in points per game (7.11), 21^st in total assists (35) and 29^th in assists per game (1.84).
 
Individually, junior goalkeeper Theo Blachon (St. Etienne, France) is eighth in goalie minutes (1,739:43), 13^th in the nation in shutouts with eight, 13^th in save percentage (.828), 20^th in total saves (82) and 37^th in goals against average (0.879). Offensively, redshirt-senior midfielder Ryan King (County Durham, England) is third in the nation in goals per game (1.06) and total goals (17), sixth in points per game (2.25) and seventh in total points (36).
 
There will be live video and live stats coverage of the game, both of which are available on www.ClaytonStateSports.com.

Scouting The Clayton State University Lakers
Record: 14-5-0, 5-2-0 PBC
Last Time Out: W, 2-1 (OT) vs. No. 6 Seed Flagler on November 12
Streak: Two Wins

Quick Links
Men's Soccer Home Page
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
 
Individual Statistical Offensive Leaders
Goals: Ryan King – 17
Assists: Jack Stevens – 6
Points: Ryan King – 36
 
Individual Statistical Goalkeeper Leaders
Minutes: Theo Blachon  – 1,739:43
Save Percentage: Theo Blachon – .828
Goals Against Average: Theo Blachon – 0.88
Saves: Theo Blachon – 82
Wins: Theo Blachon – 14
Shutouts: Theo Blachon – 8
 
Team Offensive Statistics
Goals: 50
Assists: 35
Points: 135
 
Team Defensive Statistics
Goals Against Average: 0.88
Save Percentage: .840
Shutouts: 8

 
Scouting The No. 21 Lander University Bearcats
Record: 11-4-2, 5-2-0 PBC
Last Time Out: L, 6-2 at Flagler on November 9
Streak: One Loss
 
Quick Links
Men's Soccer Home Page
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
 
Individual Statistical Offensive Leaders
Goals: Max Bolton – 11
Assists: Max McNulty – 5
Points: Max Bolton – 26
 
Individual Statistical Goalkeeper Leaders
Minutes: Jacob Withers – 1,558:47
Save Percentage: Jacob Withers – .718
Goals Against Average: Jacob Withers – 1.15
Saves: Jacob Withers – 51
Wins: Jacob Withers – 11
Shutouts: Jacob Withers – 5
 
Team Offensive Statistics
Goals: 36
Assists: 32
Points: 104
 
Team Defensive Statistics
Goals Against Average: 1.15
Save Percentage: .722
Shutouts: 6