Men's Soccer | September 4, 2024

MORROW, Ga. – The No. 16 Clayton State University men's soccer team takes to the pitch for the first time on Thursday evening in the 2024 season.  The Lakers are looking to repeat their result last year as the Peach Belt Conference's top team. 
 
A LOOK BACK
The Lakers finished the 2023 season with a record of 15-4-1 and won the PBC Regular Season and Tournament crowns for the first time since 2007.  This was also the first conference championship for Clayton State since the 2017-18 season where the men's basketball team won the tournament.  Coach Petersen's team advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament and eventually fell to top-ranked Limestone.  The Lakers also saw a pair of All-Americans, four All-Region selections, and seven all-conference mentions. 
 
THE OPENING WEEKEND
The Lakers open their 2024 season at Laker Field as they welcome the University of North Georgia, Francis Marion, and Converse to the Laker Loch-In Classic on Thursday, September 5^th.  North Georgia plays Francis Marion at 5 p.m. while your Lakers host Converse at 7 p.m. The Lakers and the Valkyries will embark on their first meeting.  The Lakers then return to Laker Field on Saturday, September 7^th as they host Francis Marion.  The Patriots own a 14-11-6 overall record over the Lakers all time dating back to 1993. Coach Petersen is looking for his 200^th career victory this weekend as well.
 
Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets for this weekend ahead of time via the Clayton State Marketplace. As always, Clayton State students, children under four, and Hall of Famers with a valid card gain free entry into the games.  Laker Field is a cash-less venue and will only accept credit cards.  Concessions will also be available for purchase ahead of time via the Clayton State Marketplace.  The department has unveiled a five-dollar meal deal where the customer gets to buy a hot dog, chips, and a drink all for five dollars.  Pets are allowed on the grounds of Laker Field, but they must be picked up after and leashed. 
 
IMPACT PLAYERS
 Despite losing a ton of talent and experience this season, Coach Petersen looks to capitalize on his success last season.  The Lakers return All-American Alexis Iturria along with Mohamed Mahrous, Isami Takeuchi, Vic Delgado Miller, and Mauricio Uribe.  Iturria, a native of Hampton, Ga., had a remarkable season for Clayton State last season.  The Laker forward led the team with 13 goals and with 12 assists.  Iturria also led the team, the conference, and the nation with 103 shots.  His 103 shots are 24 more than anyone in Division II and he broke the single-season Laker school record that was set in 1995 by Hall of Famer Jason Nidiffer.  In addition, he also led the team and the conference with 38 points. Iturria was a first-team All-Conference selection for the second time in his career and was one of four Lakers to be a D2CCA and United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-Southeast Region as well as earning first-team D2CCA and USC All-America. 
 
A native of Morocco, Mahrous had a breakout season for the Lakers.  Last season, Mohamed played in 17 matches and made 16 starts.  He was also instrumental in the Laker defense as the unit conceded the fewest goals since 2019. Takeuchi returns for his final year, and he was selected to his first career all-conference team last season.  Last season, Isami, who is captaining the team this season, scored a goal and added an assist in 20 matches played.  Delgado Miller, who was a first-team all-conference in 2022, finished last season with four goals and three assists.  He fired in one of the two goals scored in overtime against Lander in the PBC Championship game back on November 12^th. Uribe rounds out the impactful returners for the Lakers.  Mauricio started in the net for 17 matches and made 66 saves.  He also pitched four shutouts. 
 
NEWCOMERS
The Lakers also brought in a talented group of newcomers that includes the likes of Fallah Johnson Jr., Dylan Cabrera, Othmane Chagour, Alex Rodriguez, and Jussi Gerbeding.  Coach Petersen expects this group of newcomers to make an immediate impact on the team this season.  Other newcomers include Rodrigo Julian, Aaron Overmars, Miguel Torrecillas, Hector Nieto, Manoel Neto, Brock Williams, Edgar Nunez, Rhys Pollard and Khame Tip. 
 
THE COACHING STAFF
Coach Petersen retains his entire coaching staff from last season's 15-win season.  Coach Petersen returns for his 21^st season and came off winning his sixth PBC Coach of the Year distinction last year and he enters the 2024 season one win shy of 200 for his illustrious Laker career.  Pete retains assistant coaches Jonny Mercado, Joel McIlroy, and Ludvig Rhodin.  He also returns Jonny Evans and Jordan Davis as his technical advisors. 
 
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