Second-half rally propels Lees-McRae past
Clayton State 3-2 in Laker Shootout
Bobcats score twice in second half as Lakers drop to 1-3 overall

MORROW, Ga. — SEPTEMBER 1, 2006 — Playing its 2006 home opener on Friday night, the Clayton State Laker men’s soccer team got off to a fast start, but keep up the momentum as the Lakers dropped a tough 3-2 decision to visiting Lees-McRae in the 2006 Laker Shootout at Laker Field. The defeat drops Clayton State, ranked eighth in the nation in Division II, to 1-3 overall on the season.

Lees-McRae improves to 2-0-1 overall.

The night started strong for the Lakers as they scored both their goals in the first 12 minutes of the game.

Hailab Habtom gave Clayton State a 1-0 lead 23 seconds into the game with a 25-yard scoring strike from the right side of the penalty box off a cross from Marquintez Jackson. Steve Weston made it 2-0 in favor of the Lakers when he stole the ball at the top of the penalty box and hammered home at 14-yard strike.

However, that was all the Lakers could muster offensively. Lees-McRae trimmed the Clayton State lead to 2-1 in the 22nd minute on a 25-yard strike from Diego Cordiero off an assist by Nathan Wall.

In the second half, the Bobcats took control. Lees-McRae tied the score at 2-2 on a 35-yard indirect kick by Berin Boracic in the 65th minute, and then took the lead for good when Kiko Magana scored off a cross from Michael Lind in front of the Laker goal.

Clayton State goalkeeper Heath Padgett recorded three saves for the Lakers, while his Lees-McRae counterpart Dylan Lawrence recorded five saves. The two teams combined for 41 fouls with five yellow cards and one red card.

Clayton State plays host to Queens at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Laker Shootout. Queens was a 4-3 winner over North Georgia in the first game on Friday.