MORROW, Ga. – The Clayton State University men's soccer team hosted former Peach Belt Conference (PBC) rival, the University of Montevallo Falcons, on Saturday evening in the final match of the 2023 Laker Classic.  The Lakers took over in the second half and beat the Falcons, 4-1.  Four different Lakers scored goals. 
 
The Lakers started the first half in complete control as Wilfried Kamden, Hector Fuentes, and Junior Odiambo all fired shots within the first 10 minutes of the match.  The Lakers finally broke through on the scoreboard.  In the 31^st minute, Geo Rios marked his first goal of the season after streaking down the middle of the box.  The Lakers led 1-0.  Montevello countered with a goal of its own in the 33^rd minute and made the score, 1-1.  Things got interesting in the 39^th minute when Montevallo received a red card after arguing with the referee, so the Lakers had a one-man advantage the rest of the match. 
 
The two teams were tied at one heading into the halftime break.  The Lakers outshot the Falcons, 10-4. 
 
Halftime: Clayton State 1, Univ. of Montevallo 1
 
The Lakers got off to a hot start early in the second half.  In the 46^th minute, John Michael Torres ripped a curling shot from about 25 yards out and it found the back of the net for a goal.  The Lakers took a 2-1 lead.  Later in the half, the Lakers were not quite done yet. In the 64^th minute, off a great one-touch pass from Emmanuel Alerte, Fuentes curls his shot in the upper third of the net and scored his first goal of the season making the score, 3-1.  It did not take long for the Lakers to grow their lead.  In the 65^th minute, off a 50/50 ball in the box, Rios found Wilfried Kamden, and he found the back of the net for his first goal as a Laker.  Clayton State grew its lead to 4-1. 
 
The Lakers only allowed five total shots in the match and took down the Falcons, 4-1. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Clayton State 4, Univ. of Montevallo 1
Records: Clayton State: 2-0-0 | Univ. of Montevallo: 0-2-0
Location: Laker Field | Clayton State University | Morrow, Ga.
 
QUICK HITS

• Rios, in his first goal of the season, recorded a goal and an assist.
• The Lakers outshot the Falcons, 20-5
• Kamden led the team with five shots.
• The Lakers took 11 corner kicks.
• Torres, Kamden, and Fuentes all scored goals for the Lakers.
• With the win, Head Coach Pete Petersen overtakes Greg Hooks of USC Update for second place all-time in wins by a PBC head coach.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers travel to the Sunshine State and play the Spartans of the University of Tampa on Friday, September 8^th at 8 p.m.  Please visit claytonstatesports.com for the most updated information. 
 
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