MORROW, Ga. – As if they were playing their own game of "eliminator" Clayton State (12-4-0, 4-1-0 PBC) men's soccer continues to barrel down the stretch with a mammoth battle at No. 21 Lander (10-3-2, 4-1-0 PBC) on Wednesday, November 6 set to play a pivotal role in deciding the 2019 Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Championship. Game time is set for 7 p.m. under the lights in Greenwood, South Carolina.
 
Both teams are tied for first place along with Young Harris (10-3, 4-1 PBC) entering the final week of the regular season. From a Laker perspective, their best odds to claim that regular season title revolve around wins at Lander tomorrow and at home against USC Aiken (4-9, 2-3 PBC) on Saturday, November 9.
 
The final piece of that equation also comes on that last evening as they will need a Francis Marion (11-3-1, 3-2-0 PBC) win at YHC to mitigate the latter's head-to-head victory last month. Clayton State enters this stretch having just defeated then No. 7 FMU 3-2 in double overtime this past weekend, not only severely damaging their title hopes but knocking them straight out of the national poll.
 
In terms of the all-time series against Lander, the Lakers trail 8-21-3 following a pair of losses last season. 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. That is part of a larger stretch of 10 wins in the last 11 meetings back to September 17, 2011.
 
Over their last 16 games in the series, LU has posted a 13-2-1 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 4 release, Clayton State is seventh in the nation in save percentage (.844), is 16^th in shutout percentage (.500) and 33^rd in goals against average (.863). Offensively they are fifth in total goals (45), seventh in scoring offense (2.81), ninth in total points (121), 12^th in points per game (7.56), 22^nd in total assists (31) and 26^th in assists per game (1.94).
 
Individually, Blachon is seventh in the nation in shutouts with eight, 12^th in save percentage (.839), 27^th in total saves (73) and 33^rd in goals against average (0.863). Offensively, redshirt-senior midfielder Ryan King (County Durham, England) is second in the nation in goals per game (1.15), third in points per game (2.46), fifth in total goals (15) and 10^th in total points (32).
 
On top of those achievements, King was just named the first United Soccer Coaches National Division II Player of the Week in program history, is the reigning PBC Player of the Week for the third time this season and leads the Southeast Region in both goals and points.
 
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: 12-4-0, 4-1-0 PBC
Last Time Out: W, 3-2 (2OT) at No. 7 Francis Marion on November 2
Streak: Two Wins

Quick Links
Men's Soccer Home Page
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
 
Individual Statistical Offensive Leaders
Goals: Ryan King – 15
Assists: Geo Rios – 4
Points: Ryan King – 32
 
Individual Statistical Goalkeeper Leaders
Minutes: Theo Blachon  – 1,460:40
Save Percentage: Theo Blachon – .839
Goals Against Average: Theo Blachon – 0.86
Saves: Theo Blachon – 73
Wins: Theo Blachon – 12
Shutouts: Theo Blachon – 8
 
Team Offensive Statistics
Goals: 45
Assists: 31
Points: 121
 
Team Defensive Statistics
Goals Against Average: 0.86
Save Percentage: .851
Shutouts: 8


Scouting The No. 21 Lander University Bearcats
Record: 10-3-2, 4-1-0 PBC
Last Time Out: W, 3-0 vs. Georgia Southwestern on November 2
Streak: Four Wins
 
Quick Links
Men's Soccer Home Page
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
 
Individual Statistical Offensive Leaders
Goals: Max Bolton – 9
Assists: Max McNulty – 5
Points: Max Bolton – 22
 
Individual Statistical Goalkeeper Leaders
Minutes: Jacob Withers – 1,378:47
Save Percentage: Jacob Withers – .741
Goals Against Average: Jacob Withers – 0.91
Saves: Jacob Withers – 40
Wins: Jacob Withers – 10
Shutouts: Jacob Withers – 5
 
Team Offensive Statistics
Goals: 33
Assists: 30
Points: 96
 
Team Defensive Statistics
Goals Against Average: 0.91
Save Percentage: .745
Shutouts: 6