MORROW, Ga. --- OCTOBER 24, 2006 --- Not even a broken hand was going to keep Hailab Habtom from stepping to the forefront for the Clayton State Laker men’s soccer team on Tuesday.

Playing host to Francis Marion in the quarterfinals of the 2006 Peach Belt Conference Tournament, Habtom recorded a hat trick and the Lakers cruised to a convincing 5-1 victory over Francis Marion at Laker Field. With his three goals, Habtom is now tied with senior forward Kevin Crooks for the team lead in goals scored with nine.

The victory advances Clayton State (10-8) to the Peach Belt Tournament semifinals on Friday at 2:30 p.m. against USC-Aiken at Lander. The victory also gives the Lakers their ninth season of 10 or more victories, including the last eight straight.

Habtom scored twice in the first half to give Clayton State a 2-0 lead. He intercepted a clearing pass from Francis Marion goalkeeper Jeremy Crooks just outside the penalty box, split three defenders and hammered home the goal from 12 yards out in the 20^th minute. Six minutes later, the junior midfielder recorded another steal in the penalty box and maneuvered himself for a 10-yard scoring strike from the left side of the goal.

Habtom finished off his hat trick in the 48^th minute on a flicker off a cross pass from Mattias Faublas. However, the Lakers were far from finished.

Freshman Ryan Townson scored his first collegiate goal in the 74^th minute, taking a pass from Daniel English down the left flank and penetrating for a 10-yard scoring strike. Then in the 87^th minute, Faublas scored off a deflection from Patriot goalkeeper Nick Krywyi.

Jonathan Bartomioli scored the lone goal in the 86^th minute for Francis Marion (4-12-1). Laker goalkeepers Heath Padgett and Chris Cantrell combined for one save in the victory.