GREENWOOD, S.C. – The #6 Clayton State University men's soccer team overcame a 2-0 first half deficit but ended up falling short on the road at Van Taylor Stadium over Lander, 4-3, on Saturday afternoon. 
 
The Bearcats took an early 2-0 lead with goals in the 5^th and 13^th minute, respectively.  With their backs-up-against-the-wall, the Lakers looked to one of their leaders to get their offense going.  In the 28^th minute, Alexis Iturria strikes for his first goal of the match, making the score, 2-1. 
 
The Lakers saw shots from Wilfried Kamden, Iturria, Lewis Green, and Gonzalo LaChica, down the stretch, but still trailed 2-1 going into the halftime break. 
 
Halftime: Lander 2, #6 Clayton State 1
 
The Lakers pressured the Bearcats early in the second half and scored the equalizing goal.  In the 48^th minute, Geo Rios fed Iturria who found the back of the net for his second goal of the match.  The two teams were tied at two apiece.  Clayton State kept peppering shots in as LaChica, John Michael Torres, and Rios all sent in shots in the beginning of the half.  The Lakers eventually took the lead.  In the 65^th minute, Iturria was streaking up the near side crossed the ball to Kamden, and he sent a laser into the back of the net for a goal.  Clayton State pulled in front, 3-2. 
 
However, four minutes later, in the 69^th minute, the Bearcats scored the equalizing goal and made the score three all.  The Lander offensive attack did not stop there.  In the 74^th minute, a Lander attacker was fouled in the box and was awarded a penalty shot.  After they cashed in the shot, the Bearcats went up, 4-3. 
 
Despite shots from LaChica, Rios, and Isami Takeuchi down the stretch, the Bearcats would hold on to upend the Lakers, 4-3. 
 
MATCH VITALS
Final: Lander 4, #6 Clayton State 3
Records: Lander: 5-4-4 (4-1-2 PBC) (14 Points) | #6 Clayton State: 10-2-0 (6-1 PBC) (18 Points)
Location: Van Taylor Stadium | Lander University | Greenwood, S.C.
 
QUICK HITS

• Iturria scored his eighth and nineth goals of the season.  He leads the team and is first in the PBC. 
• Iturria and Rios each notched an assist.  With that assist, Rios is four points away from tying the school record in points.
• Rios broke the school record playing his 78^th career match. 
• The Lakers outshot the Bearcats, 25-12. 
• Iturria and LaChica led the team with seven and six shots, respectively. 

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers conclude their lengthy road trip with a match up in Dahlonega to play the University of North Georgia on Wednesday, October 18^th at 5 p.m. The Lakers dominated UNG, 5-1, at Laker Field on September 27^th. 
 
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