Overtime defeat ends season for Clayton State men in Peach Belt semifinals

EVANS, Ga. – November 4, 2011 – The 2011 season came to a heartbreaking end for the Clayton State Laker men's soccer team as the Lakers fell 3-2 in overtime against Flagler in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals at Blanchard Woods Park on Friday.

The defeat concludes Clayton State's season at 10-8 overall. Flagler improves to 14-3-2 and the Saints will face Montevallo in Sunday's Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship at 3:30 p.m. at Blanchard Woods Park.

Flagler's Marco Padilla scored the game-winner two minutes into the overtime session off an assist by Pol Berenguer. That capped a comeback for the Saints in which Flagler battled back from a 2-1 deficit in the second half.

Clayton State trailed early 1-0 after Flagler's Kevin Keenan scored on a penalty kick in the 17th minute. However, senior forward Ryan Pugh gave the Lakers the equalizer in the 43rd minute with a header off an assist by Janny Rivera. Senior forward Matty Phillips then put the Lakers in front 2-1 with a goal in the 52nd minute off an assist by Pugh.

The Lakers scored both goals down a man as senior defender Sam Bevan was issued a red card in the 17th minute to set up Keenan's penalty kick.

But Flagler gained its equalizer in the 75th minute on a goal by Joseph Toby, heading in his own missed shot.

Clayton State goalkeeper Brian Garcia recorded nine saves, while Camp Bissell recorded six saves for Flagler. The Saints out-shot Clayton State 25-17.