Lakers record first victory of season 2-1 at Florida Tech
English, Kalinov each score goals as eighth-ranked Clayton State improves to 1-2

MELBOURNE, Fla. — AUGUST 28, 2006 — After opening the 2006 with two defeats, the Clayton State Laker men’s soccer team needed a victory in the worst possible way on Monday at Florida Tech. It wasn’t pretty, but the Lakers did that with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Florida Tech at Stottler Field.

The victory improves the Lakers, ranked eighth in the nation in Division II, to 1-2 overall.

Clayton State head coach Pete Petersen shook things up for the Lakers in this game, and it paid off. He switched from the 4-5-1 set to a 4-4-2 to create more offensive opportunities. In addition, he replaced Heath Padgett at goalkeeper for redshirt freshman Chris Cantrell.

“There was a sense of urgency today, even in the heat and humidity,” said Petersen. “We wanted to break the ice and find ourselves today.”

The Lakers took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute when Danny English scored off a corner kick by Hailab Habtom.

The scored stayed 1-0 until the 63rd minute when Cantrell was hit with a yellow card inside the penalty box. The Panthers then tied the game 1-1 on a penalty kick by Ross Allen.

However, Clayton State responded to the adversity. In the 73rd minute, Angel Kalinov scored the go-ahead goal for the Lakers off a brilliant pass by Johnny Lara. The Lakers held from there, but not without some thrills. Florida Tech had a chance to tie in the waning seconds, but Allen’s shot was wide at the buzzer.

Making his first ever collegiate start, Cantrell recorded three saves in the victory, while Florida Tech goalkeeper Cory Collins recorded one save. The two teams combined for seven yellow cards in the game.

Clayton State plays its first two home games of the 2006 season with the Laker Shootout this weekend at Laker Field. The Lakers play host to Lees-McRae on Friday at 7:30 p.m., followed by Queens on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.