Score: Clayton State 3 - Lander 2
Records: Lakers (7-6-3, 6-3-1 PBC) – Bearcats (8-6-0, 5-4-0 PBC)
Series History: Lander leads 25-9-1

MORROW, Ga. – The Clayton State men's soccer team withstood a furious rally but escaped Laker Field with 3-2 win over Lander University in Wednesday's Peach Belt Conference matchup.

Leading 3-0 in the 61st minute, the Lakers seemed to be in complete control until Lander netted two goals in less than a minute to close the gap.

The Bearcats converted a penalty kick to cut the deficit to two before finding the back of the net again 42 seconds later.

Clayton State was able to hold off Lander for the remainder of the game and take the win on Senior Day. The Lakers honored Theo Blachon, Brad Kay, Francisco Arias, Josh Rodgers and Joel McIlroy. 

With the win, the Lakers pull ahead by four points over Flagler and Lander in the PBC standings. Clayton State has two games to play while both teams have three to play.

Alexis Iturria scored the game's opening goal in the 29th minute to put the Lakers up 1-0. Iturria caught the Lander goalkeeper out of position and fired a shot from 40 yards out for his seventh of the season.

In the 34th minute, a Lander foul inside the box gave the Lakers a penalty kick opportunity, which was converted by Langston Blackstock.

Lander outshot Clayton State 13-12 for the game.

Blackstock would end up scoring the eventual gamewinner in the 62nd. Isami Takeuchi played a free kick inside the box which would end up finding McIlroy who was able to get a head on it to Blackstock. The junior fired a shot right by the keeper for the goal.

Blachon made five saves in the win.

Kay and Lewis Green each had an assist on the first goal.

COMING UP:
- The Lakers return to the pitch on Wednesday with a matchup 7 p.m. matchup at USC Aiken.
 
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