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Classic Clayton State men-Lander showdown ends in 3-3 deadlock
Fredericks scores twice as Lakers now 9-4-3 overall and 3-0-3 in Peach Belt Conference

MORROW, Ga. – October 25, 2008 – The anticipated showdown lived up to its billing on Saturday night as the Clayton State Lakers battled visiting ninth-ranked Lander to a 3-3 tie in double-overtime at Laker Field. It was "Senior Night" at Clayton State and final regular season home games for Laker seniors Johnny Lara, Angel Kalinov and Glen Fox.

While it may have been "Senior Night" on the surface, it was a freshman that saved the game for Clayton State. Forward Leighton Fredericks scored twice for the Lakers, and his second came with four minutes remaining in the game and Clayton State playing a man down. Fredericks took a cross from Jonathan McKeever and hammered home the game-tying goal in the 86th minute.

Lander (10-2-2, 4-0-1 PBC) had taken a 3-2 lead in the 76th minute on a goal by Adam Arthur off an assist by Ivan Stoykov. The Bearcats had enjoyed a man advantage when Clayton State goalkeeper David Cristofoli was ejected with a red card in the 61st minute. However, sophomore defender Brett Neilson took over in goal and recorded six saves the rest of the game.

The most important save was in the 62nd minute when he deflected Arthur’s penalty kick attempt.

The two teams traded goals twice in the first half. Fredericks gave the Lakers a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute off an assist by Sukhman Bal and Kalinov, but Lander tied it in the 34th minute on a goal by Aaron Brittain.

Clayton State responded with a 2-1 lead in the 42nd minute as Lara hammered home a goal from the right side of the penalty box off an assist by Matty Phillips. But Lander again got the equalizer in the 44th minute on a goal by Arthur.

The combination of Cristofoli and Neilson had nine saves for the Lakers. Goalkeeper Billy Hale had nine saves for Lander. The two teams combined for 37 fouls and seven yellow and red cards the physical confrontation.

Clayton State closes out the regular season on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Limestone.