AUGUSTA, Ga. --- OCTOBER 17, 2006 --- For the first time this 2006 men’s soccer season, the Clayton State Lakers have received a weekly award by the Peach Belt Conference.

Forward Kevin Crooks was honored on Tuesday as the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week as the conference issued its weekly awards. It’s the first time since last season that a Laker player has received the weekly honor by the Peach Belt.

Crooks, an All-Peach Belt and All-Region selection last season, had been rather quiet offensively this season offensively for Clayton State until the last few games. That’s when the senior from Trincity, Trinidad erupted for five goals and one assist in two games.

He scored twice last Wednesday against Georgia Southwestern, including the game-winner in double-overtime that gave the Lakers a thrilling 3-2 victory. Crooks then followed that with a hat trick and an assist in the Lakers’ 5-1 rout over Francis Marion on Saturday.

The recent explosion puts Crooks at eight goals and three assists on the season for 19 points. He now ranks fifth in the Peach Belt in goals scored and seventh in scoring.

Clayton State, now 8-7 overall and 4-1 in the Peach Belt, plays host to 25^th-ranked USC-Aiken on Wednesday at 5 p.m. in a showdown for first place in the conference.