DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Clayton State University men's soccer team concluded its 2026 season as they fell to #21 North Georgia, 3-2, in double overtime, in the Semifinals of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament on Wednesday evening. The Lakers finished the season 7-5-7.
The Lakers started off the scoring in the first half. In the 13
th minute,
Arttu Leivonen crossed the ball and found
Joao Amaral who finished for his sixth goal of the season and made the score, 1-0. The Nighthawks closed the gap a few minutes later in the 16
th minute and knotted up the score at one apiece. North Georgia held Clayton State to only one shot the entire half.
Kalle Kuisma came up with some outstanding saves in the 32
nd minute to keep the score at one all. The Nighthawks did not stop the pressure on Kuisma. In the 37
th minute, UNG scored their second goal of the half on a free kick.
North Georgia took a 2-1 lead going into the halftime break.
Halftime: #21/#2 North Georgia 2, #3 Clayton State 1
The Lakers and Nighthawks played a very close second half. The Lakers saw their first opportunity come in the 54
th minute where
Eric Cruz sent in a pair of shots that were snuffed out by the North Georgia defense. Kuisma and the Laker defense kept them in the match throughout the second half. The Lakers took advantage of some good opportunities in the late stages of the half. In the 89
th minute, Kuisma sent in a free kick into the box who found the foot of Amaral. Amaral then shot the ball, and it was mishandled by the Nighthawk keeper.
Sonny Simpson then cleaned up the mess and found the back of the net for the equalizing goal. The two teams were now tied at two.
The Lakers and Nighthawks played for overtime. In overtime, neither team could get anything going as they combined for three shots, and one save. Amaral attempted a shot on goal in overtime. The score was tied at two after the first 10 minute overtime period. In the second overtime, North Georgia was fouled in the box in the 103
rd minute and converted the penalty kick and went onto defeat Clayton State, 3-2.
QUICK HITS
- Amaral scored his sixth goal of the match, while Simpson knocked in his first of the season.
- Leivonen finished the year with nine goals and five assists, which are both team-highs.
- The Nighthawks outshot the Lakers, 14-8 and 8-5 on frame.
- Kuisma made five saves in net for the Lakers.
- Cruz led the Lakers with three shots.
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