EVANS, Ga. – Two second half goals were the difference as Clayton State (14-6, 0-0 PBC) could not rally against a No. 21 Lander (12-4-2, 5-2-0 PBC) squad that notched a 3-1 decision in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Semifinals and an NCAA Division II men's soccer game on Friday, November 15.
 
The Bearcats would get on the board first as Harry Bircumshaw connected with Max McNulty at the 9:03 mark for a 1-0 lead. That would hold up until the 36^th minute when the Lakers bounced back with the tying goal from senior defender Hector Gutierrez (Asheville, N.C.) at the 35:23 mark.
 
After taking that 1-1 tie to the half, Lander would come right back at the start of the second half and it would be a familiar pair that would give them the lead. Once again it would be Bircumshaw to McNulty, this time at just 2:20 into the final 45 minutes.
 
Thirteen minutes later it would be McNulty again as he registered a hat trick off of a double assist from Grant Wagner and Tom Marriott at the 58:42 mark. The Lakers would manage just two shots all of the second half, both after that goal and both on net, but could not connect as they fell 3-1.
 
McNulty would lead the Bearcats with his three goals while Bircumshaw notched a pair of assists and Wagner and Marriott each had one. Jacob Withers started in goal, playing 43:32 and allowing one goal against no saves while Cole Hunter relieved him and played 46:28. The latter made three saves and did not allow a goal to move to 1-0.
 
Gutierrez accounted for Clayton State's offense with his one goal and was one of six Lakers with a single shot. Junior goalkeeper Theo Blachon (St. Etienne, France) played all 90 minutes and allowed three goals against four saves. He falls to 14-6 on the season.
 
The Lakers must now await word on if they will receive an At-Large bid to the 2019 NCAA Division II Tournament. The selection show will air at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 18.