Clayton State University Athletics

MORROW, Ga. – The Clayton State University men's soccer team hosted Middle Georgia on Senior Day Saturday.  The Lakers took care of business and defeated the Knights, 3-2. 
 
The Lakers, immediately, put pressure on the Knight defensive unit.  In the seventh minute, the Lakers opened the scoring when senior Camilo Velez crossed the ball into the middle of the box and found Josh Thomas for his first goal of the year.  The Lakers took a 1-0 lead.  They were not done.  In the 13^th minute, The Lakers sent in a corner ball that was punched out by the MGA goalkeeper.  The ball eventually found the foot of Lucas Schofield who connected with Agustin Bezara and he fired in an off balance shot and scored his first goal of the season.  The Lakers doubled up Middle Georgia, 2-0.  The Lakers kept up the pace throughout the half and outshot Middle Georgia, 11-2, and took a 2-0 lead going into the halftime break. 
 
Halftime: Clayton State 2, Middle Georgia 0
 
Both teams picked it up offensively in the second half as they combined for 20 shots.  The Knights had some opportunities to score early in the half but George Roke and the defensive unit kept them at bay.  One of Middle Georgia's shots went off woodwork.  The Lakers, despite 10 shots on the half, did not have many opportunities until they added to their lead.  In the 80^th minute, Arttu Leivonen sent in a shot who was kick saved by the MGA keeper.  The rebound was then redirected to Joao Amaral who found the back of the net for a goal.  The Lakers moved the score to 3-0. 
 
The Knights did not go down quietly, however.  They scored goals in the 84^th and 87^th minute and closed in on the Lakers at 3-2.  The Knights then tried for three goals in the final seven minutes by their shot in the 89^th minute went off woodwork.  The Lakers held on to defeat Middle Georgia, 3-2. 
 
QUICK HITS

• Thomas and Bezara scored their first goals for the Lakers.
• Amaral scored his fourth while Velez, Schofield, and Leivonen were credited assists. 
• The Lakers outshot the Knights, 21-12. 
• Roke made four saves, all in the second half. 
• Schofield and Amaral led the team with five shots apiece. 
• The Lakers recorded their first win since September 30^th. 
• Currently, the Lakers sit in third place on the PBC table with one more conference match left. 

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers (6-4-6 (4-3-4 PBC)) travel to South Carolina for a makeup match with Lander University on Monday, October 26^th.  Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. Please visit claytonstatesports.com for more information.