MORROW, Ga. --- SEPTEMBER 16, 2006 --- The breaks haven’t been going for the Clayton State Laker men’s soccer team lately. After dropping a tough 1-0 double-overtime decision against Savannah College of Art & Design on Thursday, the Lakers took another one on the chin on Saturday. This time it was a 1-0 defeat against visiting Montevallo at Laker Field.

The defeat was the second straight for Clayton State, which is now 4-5 overall. Montevallo improves to 5-2 overall.

Despite the defeat, Laker head coach Pete Petersen remained upbeat about his team.

“I was disappointed in how we played on Thursday – I wasn’t disappointed tonight,” Petersen said. “These are just a few blips in the radar screen. Conference is the most important, and I feel good about us in conference.

“We’ll get there.”

James Ward scored the game’s lone goal for the Falcons in the 14^th minute. He hammered home a 25-yard shot from the right side of the penalty box off an assist by Glenn Murphy.

However, that didn’t mean the game wasn’t without any dramatics. Montevallo goalkeeper recorded four key first half saves – all four from Clayton State’s Tonny Madegwa at point-blank range. And then in the second half, both defenses stepped up tremendously, despite the fact the Lakers had numerous shots to tie the game.

Clayton State goalkeeper Heath Padgett recorded three saves in the defeat.

The Lakers are off until Sept. 26 when they travel to neighboring Division III power Emory at 7 p.m.