DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Clayton State University men's soccer team concluded their four-match road trip as they traveled to play the No. 19 University of North Georgia Nighthawks on Saturday afternoon. The Lakers upset the Nighthawks, 2-1.
The Lakers did not waste any time in getting on the board. In the third minute, off a nice one-touch pass by
Alexis Iturria,
Geo Rios marked his third goal of the season as Clayton State took a 1-0 lead. That lead was short lived as the Nighthawks took advantage of a Laker foul inside the box, which led to the equalizing goal in the sixth minute. The score moved to 1-1. The rest of the half went back-and-forth as the Lakers and the Nighthawks were deadlocked at one after the first 45 minutes. Clayton State outshot North Georgia, 8-3, in the first half.
Halftime: Clayton State 1, No. 19 North Georgia 1
The second half started with North Georgia testing the Laker keeper
Cameron Pike with a couple of shots. Then, the Lakers scored the go-ahead goal. In the 58
th minute, after
Lewis Green fired a shot, which was deflected in the middle of the box, by the Nighthawk keeper,
Isaac Pimenta cleaned up the mess and scored a goal as the Lakers took a 2-1 lead.
Pike made some critical saves down the stretch as the Lakers held on to upset the Nighthawks, 2-1.
MATCH VITALS
Final: Clayton State 2, No. 19 North Georgia 1
Records: Clayton State: 2-2-2 (1-1 PBC) | No. 19 North Georgia: 3-3-0 (0-2 PBC)
Location: UNG Soccer Complex | University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, Ga.
QUICK HITS
- Both Rios and Pimenta scored their third goals of the season.
- Rios led the team with five shots
- Iturria tallied his third assist of the season
- Langston Blackstock and Pimenta followed with three shots apiece
- Pike made three saves and earned his first career win in goal
- The Lakers outshot the Nighthawks, 15-8
- The Lakers tallied six corner kicks.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers welcome the Hurricanes of Georgia Southwestern University to Laker Field on Wednesday, September 14
th. Kickoff from Laker Field is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday night's match is AFC Lightning Night!
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