AIKEN, S.C. – September 22, 2007 – With the chance to move into first place in the Peach Belt Conference on Saturday, the Clayton State Laker men’s soccer team dropped a tough 3-1 shocker at USC-Aiken in the Pacer Pit. The game was the Peach Belt opener for the 14th-ranked Lakers, who are now 5-2-1 overall and 0-1 in the Peach Belt.

Clayton State put some offensive pressure on the Pacers in the first 32 minutes of the contest, but could not convert three key scoring opportunities. That would come back to roost for the Lakers.

The momentum shifted drastically during a 57-second stretch beginning in the 33rd minute.

A foul on the Lakers 35 yards from the goal set up USC-Aiken for a free kick. On the play, the Pacers’ Tim Costanzo won the ball in the air and sent a header past Clayton State keeper Janiel Simon for a 1-0 USC-Aiken lead.

Less than a minute later, USC-Aiken struck again. Ikenna Ogbuke beat a defender in the penalty box and lined up a shot. While Simon made a save, a scramble off the rebound left the ball back at Ogbuke’s feet, and this time the forward delivered a goal for a 2-0 advantage that the Pacers took into the halftime break.

Clayton State came out boldly in the second half and took it to the USC-Aiken defense. In the 57th minute, senior Tonny Madegwa hit a precision cross pass from the right side of the penalty box to an open Jamal Geathers. The freshman forward then headed home his eighth goal on the season.

However, the Pacers (3-5, 1-1) got the needed insurance goal late as Kofi Akyere beat Laker goalkeeper Billy Hale for a touch score from the left side of the penalty box in the 82nd minute.

The combination of Simon and Hale combined for four saves for Clayton State, while Pacer goalkeeper Leonell Medina recorded three saves. The game was physical with a combined 49 fouls and three yellow cards.

Clayton State has the week off before returning to action next Saturday (Sept. 29), playing host to UNC-Pembroke at 7 p.m. at Laker Field.