Peach Belt Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week Release

AUGUSTA, Ga. – In just two games as a Laker, graduate forward Iain Smith (Suwanee, Ga.) has had an immediate impact as he has been named Peach Belt Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week as announced by the league on Tuesday, September 8.

Smith delivered two game winners among his three goals and six points as Clayton State opened the 2015 campaign at 2-0.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the 67th minute against Erskine (9/3) he opened his career in fine fashion, drilling home two goals in a matter of seconds to help lead the Lakers to a 3-1 season opening victory.

He would go on to have just as important a performance in his final game of the week, that coming against a strong Anderson (9/5) team in the final game of the 2015 Loch Shop Shootout. After Clayton State recovered from a 1-0 second half deficit to tie the game in the game and send it to overtime, Smith stepped up once again.

In the extra session he raced down the right side and crossed the ball in front of the Trojans keeper, a shot that would find the back of the net just 1:39 into the frame and give the Lakers a hard fought 2-1 victory. It would be his second game-winner in as many games.

It is Smith's first such honor and he becomes the 20th overall selection in program history. He is also just the 15th individual to be named PBC Player of the Week. He is the first Clayton State player to be so recognized since Kevin Rodrigues (9/30/13) and Alhagi Toure (9/23/13) each achieved it two seasons ago.

Since joining the Peach Belt in 1995 as a provisional member, the Lakers have had at least one Player of the Week selection in 15 seasons, including every year from 2000-11. Leighton Fredericks holds the all-time mark with three selections with two in 2008 and a third in 2009.

Overall the program has claimed a total of 46 weekly honorees from Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week and Goalkeeper of the Week. In 2007, the Peach Belt went from recognizing just one individual to honoring three per week.

Smith and Clayton State return to action on Thursday, September 10 when they host Eckerd (1-0) at Laker Field. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.


All-Time Peach Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week Selections (20/15 Individuals)
2015
9/8 – Iain Smith

2013
9/23 - Alhagi Toure
9/30 - Kevin Rodriguez

2011
10/4 - Kenny Mena

2010
9/28 - Ryan Pugh
10/12 - Ryan Pugh

2009
9/15 - Leighton Fredericks

2008
9/16 - Leighton Fredericks
9/23 - Leighton Fredericks

2007
10/9 - Jamal Geathers

2006
10/17 - Kevin Crooks

2005
11/1 - Alex Dowling

2004
10/11 - Juan Trujillo

2003
9/22 - Shaun Baddock

2002
9/16 - Warren van der Westhuizen
10/28 - David Dowling

2001
10/29 - Warren van der Westhuizen

2000
9/5 - Barry Casebeer

1995
10/16 - Jason Nidiffer