GAFFNEY,S.C. – The #4 Clayton State University men's soccer team played Limestone University in the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA DII Men's Soccer Tournament on Sunday afternoon.  Alex Rodriguez scored a goal in the 97^th minute of the first overtime period to lift the Lakers over the Saints, 2-1, to advance to the Elite Eight. 
 
Both teams brought offensive intensity early in the first half, but Limestone scored a goal in the 12^th minute to jump out to a 1-0 lead.  Mauricio Uribe was solid the rest of the half as he made three saves on five shots faced.  The Lakers only rattled off a pair of shots in the half and they both came early in the half.  Alexis Iturria had the best opportunity to score for the Lakers in the 9^th minute, but his shot was grabbed by the Saint keeper, while Rodriguez's shot in the 14^th minute went high. 
 
Limestone led, 1-0, after the first 45 minutes of play. 
 
Halftime: #1 Limestone 1, #4 Clayton State 0
 
The Lakers came out of the locker room hot.  In the 47^th minute, Fallah Johnson was streaking down the field and entered the box.  He then was fouled from behind in the box and the Lakers lined up for a penalty.  Rodriguez then fired his shot past the D2CCA First-Team All-Southeast Region keeper Nikolaj Bertelsen and made the score, 1-1.  Uribe and the Laker defense then went back to work to defend the Saints, and they did not concede another goal in the half. 
 
The Laker offensive intensity was on another level in the second half as they saw quick counter opportunities and almost took advantage of some Limestone defensive miscues. The Lakers saw their best opportunity to win in regulation come in the 84^th minute when a header by Vic Delgado Miller went just wide of the goal.  The two teams were tied at one at the end of 90 minutes and we go to overtime in Gaffney. 
 
End of Regulation: #1 Limestone 1, #4 Clayton State 1
 
Limestone came out of the huddle with a lot of offensive aggression as they peppered Uribe with a couple of shots and a couple of corner kicks.  However, in the 97^th minute, Limestone was trying to clear the ball, but Iturria fed the ball to Rodriguez who slipped behind the defense and shot the ball past Bertelsen for the match-winning goal. 
 
The Lakers advance to the Elite Eight and upset the top-seeded Saints of Limestone, 2-1. 
 
QUICK HITS

• Alex is the first Laker to score two goals in a match since October 30^th when Delgado Miller did it against Georgia Southwestern. 
• Rodriguez also led the team with four shots
• Uribe made a season-high nine saves and only conceded one goal. 
• Iturria notched his 14^th assist of the season which is tied for the fourth most in a single season in program history.
• The Saints scored their fewest goals since November 2^nd. 
• The Lakers earned their first true, non-shootout, NCAA Tournament win since November 14^th, 2010, against Anderson. 
• The Lakers advance to their first Elite Eight since 2010.  Clayton State has never advanced to the Final Four in their program history. 
• Clayton State has conceded one or fewer goals in nine of their last 10 matches dating back to October 15^th. 

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers (13-3-4) travel down to the Sunshine State to play #2 Lynn University in the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA DII Men's Soccer Tournament.  Kickoff on Saturday, December 7^th is at 3 p.m. Please visit claytonstatesports.com for the most updated information. 
 
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