NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Georgia Southwestern 2 – Clayton State 1
Records: Lakers (1-1-0, 1-1-0 PBC) – Hurricanes (1-0-0, 1-0-0 PBC)
Series History: Clayton State leads 12-3
 
AMERICUS, Ga. – The Clayton State men's soccer team lost 2-1 to Georgia Southwestern on Monday night in a Peach Belt Conference matchup.

Despite the score, the Lakers (1-1-0, 1-1-0 PBC) outshot the Hurricanes (1-0-0, 1-0-0 PBC) 18-7 and had a 9-2 corner kick advantage. Of the 18 shots, only two were on goal, both my Mehdi Benaissa.

GSW took the early lead in the 18th minute and added a penalty kick goal in the 41st minute to go into halftime with a 2-0 lead. Both goals were scored by Jack Malleret.

Late into the second half, the Lakers finally got on the board with a goal from Benaissa. A Mitro Turunen corner kick sailed over the GSW defenders and found Benaissa waiting at the edge of the goal. The junior was able to connect with the ball and headed it in to cut the lead to one.

With time dwindling down, Clayton State managed a pair of shots, but both sailed wide.

Freshman Lewis Green had a game-high four shots while Benaissa and Geo Rios each had three shots.

Brad Kay, Langston Blackstock and Henry Nguyen each had two shots.

COMING UP:
- Clayton State returns home on Monday, February 15 for a matchup against USC Aiken.
- The Lakers then hit the road for a contest at Young Harris on February 22.

TURNING POINT:
- GSW pulled ahead 2-0 with a penalty kick in the 41st minute.

 
_______________________________________________________________________________
Be sure to follow Clayton State Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.