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Clayton State falls 2-1 in double 
overtime in PBC semifinals

GameStats
Morrow, GA--November 2, 2001-- After winning its first ever postseason match Tuesday, the Clayton College & State University women's soccer team came one score shy Friday of advancing to Saturday's Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship.

The Lakers fell in a heartbreaker Friday in the PBC semifinals, losing to regular season champion the University of South Carolina Spartanburg 2-1 in double overtime. USCS All-Conference player Thea Moen scored the game-winning goal from 18 yards out, two minutes into the second overtime period to lift top seed USC Spartanburg over a gutsy Clayton State squad.

USCS (15-2-1) scored first in the match when Lina Edner took a corner kick from Christine Pirinoli and guided a shot just beyond the outstretched arms of Clayton State keeper Michelle Smith (Conyers, GA). The goal gave the Lady Rifles a 1-0 lead in the 18th-minute.

Clayton State (11-7-0) responded on a solid 2-on-1 play in the 40th-minute. All-Conference performer Nkiru Okosieme (Onitsha, Nigeria) broke free from the USCS defense on the right side with two Lady Rifle defenders chasing her, leaving Jocelyn Okoro open on the left side. Okosieme crossed the ball to Okoro, where she pounded a shot to the top right corner from 15 yards out, tying the match at 1-1.

Both teams packed it in on defense in the second half, combining for only six shots in the second stanza. As the second half was winding down, USCS gained control of the ball within five yards of the goal. Several players from both teams attempted to get the ball, and eventually the ball dribbled into the net for an apparent Lady Rifle goal. However, Okosieme was pushed down in the fracas and a foul was called on USCS, negating the goal.

After a scoreless first overtime period, USCS pressed early in the second overtime period, leading to Moen's goal.

Clayton State keeper Smith finished with four saves, and USCS All-Conference keeper Lindsay Allen had two saves.

USC Spartanburg will play Francis Marion in a 2 p.m. championship on Saturday at USCS's County University Soccer Stadium. The Clayton State loss ends its most successful season ever as the squad tallied a record 11 wins on the year and finished with a 3-3 mark in the PBC.

##CCSU##

GameStats
Morrow, GA--October 30, 2001-- The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team captured its first-ever postseason victory Tuesday, defeating Lander University 3-0 in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.

PBC leading scorer Nkiru Okosieme (Onitsha, Nigeria) provided the offense scoring all three goals, while the Laker defense flexed its muscles for its fifth shutout of the season.

With the win, the Lakers (11-6) will advance to the semifinals of the PBC tournament Friday, traveling to face Peach Belt regular season champion USC Spartanburg in a 2:30 p.m. match at USCS. The winner of Friday's match will advance to the finals at 2 p.m. on Saturday at USCS. Lander's loss closes its season at 7-10-1.

After a scoreless first half Tuesday, the Lakers took a 1-0 lead 58 minutes into the match as sophomore forward Okosieme scored the first of her three goals, breaking away from the Lander defense after picking up a punt from Clayton State junior keeper Michelle Smith (Conyers, GA).

Okosieme added her second score at the 71-minute mark, scoring an unassisted goal, followed by providing some insurance at the 88-minute mark on a 25-yard shot that sailed over the head of Lander freshman goalkeeper Katherine Duncan (Hilton Head, SC). The three goals by Okosieme, the fourth leading scorer in Division II, give her 33 goals on the season as she continues to shatter the Clayton State and Peach Belt Conference record books.

Clayton State outshot Lander 10-8, and both teams finished with four corner kicks. CCSU goalie Smith and Lander keeper Duncan each finished with four saves.

The 11^th win for Clayton State marked a new single season record for wins in a season. The previous high was nine wins set in 1998.

GameStats
Spartanburg, SC--October 23, 2001-- The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team dropped its third Peach Belt Confernece match of the season Tuesday, falling to the University of South Carolina Spartanburg 6-3.

USCS used six second half goals, four by senior Thea Moen, en route to a come-from-behind victory at County University Soccer Stadium. The loss drops Clayton State to 9-6 overall and 2-3 in the conference, while USCS improves to 12-2-1 and 4-0-1.

CCSU jumped out to an early lead as Nkiru Okosieme headed in a corner kick from Anya Heminger just 1:08 into the match to give Clayton State a 1-0 lead. Okosieme scored again just before halftime to give the Lady Lakers a 2-0 edge.

USCS came storming back in the in the second half, led by Moen. Her first goal came in the 51st-minute on a corner kick from Christine Pirinoli to cut the Clayton State lead to 2-1. Andrea Kerr crossed a ball to the middle of the box where Jennifer Walsh booted a goal to tie the match just 1:24 later.

Dawn Soule put the Lady Rifles ahead in the 55th-minute after Walsh was taken down in the box. Soule converted the ensuing penalty kick to give USCS its first lead. Moen then notched two goals, one in the 67th-minute and one in the 73rd-minute to give the Lady Rifles a 5-2 lead.

Okosieme brought Clayton State back with a goal in the 73rd-minute, her 28^th goal of the season, but Moen finished off the scoring with a goal in the 79th-minute to secure the USCS victory.

USCS outshot the Lakers 17-6 in the match and had 3-2 corner kicks compared to two for Clayton State. USCS keeper Lindsay Allen finished with two saves and Clayton State keeper Michelle Smith had three.

##CCSU##

CCSU blanks Spelman 5-0 in soccer action

GameStats
Morrow, GA--October 18, 2001-- Behind a trio of goals from Nkiru Okosieme, the Clayton College & State University women's soccer team tied a school record with its ninth win of the season Thursday, defeating Spelman College 5-0 at Laker Field.

The win improved Clayton State to 9-5 on the season, tying the school record of nine wins set in 1998. The Lakers will have an opportunity to break that record on Tuesday, traveling to face the University of South Carolina Spartanburg in a 4 p.m. match.

In Thursday's match, Clayton State took a 1-0 lead at the 43:30 mark as sophomore Okosieme (Onitsha, Nigeria) struck for her first goal off an assist from junior Leah Pharr (Macon, GA). The Lakers added another goal 44 seconds later as sophomore Jessica Grenier (Bedford, N.H.) pocketed her first-ever career goal on a shot from 25 yards out off an assist from sophomore Jennifer Chavalia (Tunnel Hill, GA).

Okosieme added her second and third goals of the match early in the second half to give the Lakers some insurance. Her first goal came at the 50-minute mark off a keeper deflection, followed by her fourth goal four minutes later as she beat two defenders before sliding a shot past the outstretched arms of keeper Monica Doriney.

Junior Anya Heminger (Ontario, OR) scored the team's fifth goal and her fifth goal of the season with two minutes remaining in the match, scoring off a pass from Okosieme.

The three goals by Okosieme give her 25 on the season as she continues to shatter the Clayton State and Peach Belt Conference single season scoring records. She is currently the fourth leading goal-scorer in Division II.

The Lakers finished the match with a record 44 shots and 11 corner kicks, while holding Spleman without a shot.

###CCSU###

Lady Patriots defeat Clayton State 2-1

GameStats
Morrow, GA--October 13, 2001-- The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team dropped its second Peach Belt Conference match of the season Saturday, falling to Franics Marion 2-1 on Clayton State's homecoming.

Francis Marion jumped out to an early lead, five minutes into the match as freshman Cyrian Gillingham (Hollywood, MD) scored a goal off a shot that had been deflected by Clayton State junior keeper Michelle Smith (Conyers, GA). The goal was Gillingham's third of the season.

The Lady Patriots added their second goal at the 27-minute mark as freshman Julia Lufriu (Waldorf, MD), FMU's second-leading scorer, scored off a direct kick from 25 yards, her 10^th goal of the season.

In the second half, Clayton State cut the deficit to 2-1 as junior Anya Heminger (Ontario, OH) served a ball to Clayton State's Nkiru Okosieme for a goal. Okosieme (Onitsha, Nigeria), the league's top scorer, took two dribbles and slid a shot past FMU keeper Amanda Liles (Cincinnati, OH) for the score. The goal gives Okosieme 22 on the season and the assist gives Heminger eight on the year.

FMU outshot Clayton State 15-8 in the match and had eight corner kicks compared to four for the Lakers. Liles finished with five saves, while Smith had four.

Clayton State drops to 8-5 and 2-2 in the Peach Belt with the loss, while Francis Marion improves to 10-3-1 and 3-0 in the league. The Lakers will travel to University of South Carolina Spartanburg on October 23, while FMU travels to play at Belmont Abbey Thursday.

##CCSU##

Clayton State blanks Spelman 6-0

GameStats
Morrow, GA--October 9, 2001--The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team won its eighth match of the season Tuesday, blanking Spelman College 6-0 at Laker Field.

The win improves Clayton State to 8-4 on the season, one win shy of tying the school record of nine wins in a season set in 1998. The women's squad will get its chance to tie the record Saturday, hosting Peach Belt Conference foe Francis Marion in a 4 p.m. homecoming match.

In Tuesday's match, the Lakers jumped out to a 2-0 lead as sophomore Nkiru Okosieme (Onitsha, Nigeria) scored two goals in the first 30 minutes. Her first goal came at the 22-minute mark on a pass from junior Caryn Carpenter (Hoover, AL), while her second goal came seven minutes later on an assist from sophomore Jessica Grenier (Bedford, N.H.). The two goals give Okosieme, who is one the nation's top scorers, 21 on the season.

In the second half, Clayton State tacked on four more goals, the first coming at the 51-minute mark as Anya Heminger (Ontario, OR) scored an unassisted goal, her fourth of the season. Sophomore Jill Kowalczyk (Conyers, GA) scored her second goal in as many games at the 67-minute mark, followed by Sarah Kulina (Jonesboro, GA) scoring her first goal of the season less than a minute later. Kulina added another goal at the 76-minute mark off an assist from Heminger.

Clayton State took 31 shots and eight corner kicks in the match, while holding Spelman to only one shot.

##CCSU##

Clayton State falls to Tusculum 3-1

GameStats
Morrow, GA--October 5, 2001--The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team dropped its fourth match of the season Friday, falling to Tusculum College 3-1 at Laker Field.

The loss drops Clayton State to 7-4, while the win improves the Lady Pioneers, ranked fifth in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Southeast Regional poll, to 7-1-1 on the year. Up next, Clayton State will host Spelman College in a 4 p.m. match on Tuesday.

Tusculum jumped out to an early 1-0 lead two minutes into Friday's match, scoring on a shot by sophomore Rachel Barron (Cincinnati, OH), assisted by sophomore Elaine Knudsen (Amelia, OH).

In the second half, Clayton State knotted the score at 1-1 two minutes into play as sophomore Jill Kowalczyk (Conyers, GA) scored off an assist from sophomore Nkiru Okosieme (Ontisha, Nigeria).

The Lady Pioneers, however, retook the lead five minutes later as freshman Franmarie Gregg (Fairfax, VA) scored off a corner kick that deflected off keeper Michelle Smith's hands into the net. Tusculum got an insurance goal at the 64-minute mark as sophomore Elaine Green (Durand, MI) scored on a shot after keeper Smith deflected a corner kick.

Tusculum outshot Clayton State 24-9 in the match and had eight corner kicks, while not allowing any corner kicks for the Lakers. Smith (Conyers, GA) finished with six saves, while sophomore Lady Pioneer keeper Meghan Laue (Nicholasville, KY) finished with three saves.

The match marked the first ever meeting between the two teams.

###CCSU###

Clayton State defeats
UNCP 4-3 in two overtimes

GameStats
Pembroke, NC-- September 30, 2001--Clayton College & State University junior Anya Heminger and sophomore Nkiru Okosieme provided the offensive punch, and the Clayton State defense flexed its muscles in two overtimes periods, en route to a 4-3 victory Sunday over the University of North Carolina Pembroke.

Clayton State 's Heminger (Ontario, OR) scored the game-winning goal with seven minutes remaining in the second overtime period off an assist from sophomore Okosieme (Onitsha, Nigeria).

The win improves Clayton State to 7-3 overall and 2-1 in the PBC, while the Lady Braves drop to 6-5 overall and 0-2 in the league. CCSU will return to action on Friday, October 5, hosting Tusculum College in a 4 p.m. match.

UNCP jumped out to a 1-0 lead eight minutes into the match as freshman Jackie Starcke (Emerald Isle, NC) scored on a shot from 40 yards out. Clayton State answered 12 minutes later as Okosieme scored her first of two goals in the match to tie the score at one apiece.

The Lady Braves re-took the lead at the 29-minute mark as freshman Simonae Taylor (Jacksonville, NC) scored a goal off an assist from freshman Barbara Jacobson (Fayetteville, NC). Clayton State's Heminger knotted the score at 2-2 with 10 minutes remaining in the half with a goal off an assist from Okosieme.

In the second half, Pembroke again claimed the lead as sophomore Jesscia McArdell (Graham, NC) scored a goal in the first three minutes of play only to have Clayton State's Okosieme tie the match at 3-3 with a goal 20 minutes later, sending the game to overtime.

Heminger and Okosieme combined for all four goals in the match and both of the assists. The two goals for Okosieme give her 19 on the year as she continues to shatter the CCSU single-season goals scored mark. She is the nation's fifth-ranked scorer and the top scorer in the conference. Heminger's two goals give her three goals on the season to go along with six assists.

UNCP outshot Clayton State 23-20 in the match and had six corner kicks compared to only three for Clayton State. CCSU keeper Michelle Smith (Conyers, GA) finished with five saves, while Pembroke keepers sophomore Amanda Morrow (Rutherfordton, NC) and freshman Nicole Roe (Buies Creek, NC) combined for four saves.

The match marked the first ever meeting between the two teams as UNCP began its women's soccer program this season.

###CCSU###

Clayton State defeats
Thomas University 2-1 in overtime

GameStats
Morrow, GA-- September 27, 2001--The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team captured its sixth victory of the season Thursday, prevailing 2-1 in overtime over Thomas University.

Clayton State sophomore Nkiru Okosieme (Onitsha, Nigeria) scored the game-winner, 11 minutes into the overtime period off an assist from junior Anya Heminger (Ontario, OR).

The win improves Clayton State to 6-3 on the season, while Thomas falls to 3-7. The Lakers will return to action Sunday, traveling to face Peach Belt Conference opponent the University of North Carolina Pembroke in a 2 p.m. match. Clayton State enters the match with a 1-1 PBC record, while UNCP is 6-4 overall and 0-1 in the Peach Belt.

Thomas took a 1-0 lead early in the first half of Thursday's match as Clayton State scored an "own" seven minutes into the match. The Lakers rebounded from the mistake in the second half as the scoring duo of Okosieme and Heminger struck for a goal 61 minutes into the match. Okosieme punched in the goal off an assist from Heminger.

The two goals in game for Okosieme give her 17 on the year as she continues to shatter the CCSU single-season goals scored mark. She is the nation's fifth-ranked scorer and the top scorer in the conference. Heminger's two assists give her six on the season, which ranks among the PBC leaders in the category.

Clayton State controlled the match, taking 24 shots, while the Laker defense held Thomas to only six shots. CCSU had five corner kicks compared to only two for the Lady Night Hawks.

Thomas sophomore keeper Ashley Dodd (Hinesville, GA) had 12 saves in the match, while Clayton State's Michelle Smith (Conyers, GA) finished with two saves.

The Clayton State win avenges a 2-0 loss to Thomas University last season.

###CCSU###

Clayton State women fall at North Florida 4-0

GameStats
Jacksonville, FL-- September 23, 2001---The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team dropped its first Peach Belt Conference match of the season, falling to conference favorite the University of North Florida 4-0 Sunday.

The loss drops the squad to 5-3 on the season and 1-1 in the PBC. The women will return to action Thursday, Sept. 27, hosting Thomas University in a 4 p.m. match.

In Sunday's match, North Florida struck early as Lynn Erthal scored three minutes into the match on an assist from Erin Wiggins, followed by UNF's Diane Hemke adding two straight goals to give the Lady Ospreys a 3-0 lead.

Hemke's first goal came at the 34-minute mark on assists from Laura Hamilton and Sarah Macak, and her second goal came 24 minutes later on assists from Wiggins and sister Dana Hemke.

Terri Moo-Young capped off the scoring for the Lady Ospreys at the 67-minute mark, and Diane Hemke and Valerie McEvoy were credited with assists on the goal.

Clayton State's Nkiru Okosieme, the leading scorer in the Peach Belt, was held to only one shot in the contest. Offensively, UNF outshot the Lakers 21-4, while CCSU keeper Michelle Smith recorded nine saves in the game.

CCSU women's soccer team
defeats Lenoir-Rhyne 3-2

Game Stats
Morrow, GA-- September 21, 2001---The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team notched another victory and Laker sophomore sensation Nkiru Okosieme broke another record in the process.

The women's squad defeated Lenoir-Rhyne 3-2 Friday behind three goals from Okosieme, Onitsha, Nigeria. The three goals give her 15 on the season, breaking the single season record for goals scored of 12, set by Heather Roberson in 1998. Nkiru currently ranks second in the nation for points per game and is the nation's third leading scorer. She also leads the Peach Belt Conference in goals scored and points per game.

The win improves Clayton State to 5-2 on the season, while Lenoir-Rhyne falls to 2-5-1. The Lakers will return to PBC action Sunday, traveling to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL. Clayton State, 1-0 in conference play, will face conference favorite North Florida (3-3; 0-0) in a 2 p.m. match.

In Friday's contest, the Lakers jumped out to a 1-0 lead five minutes into the match as Okosieme scored the first of her three goals. The score was set up on a pass from junior Anya Heminger, Ontario, OR. Clayton State increased its lead to 2-0 at the 30-minute mark as Okosieme scored an unassisted goal.

Lenoir-Rhyne trimmed the CCSU lead to 2-1 six minutes later as Julie Dodds, High Point, NC, fired a shot from 20 yards over the head of CCSU keeper Michelle Smith, Conyers, GA. The score was setup on a pass from sophomore Nikki Russell, Richfield, NC.

Okosieme gave the Lakers a 3-1 lead at the 65-minute mark, scoring her third goal of the game off an assist from Heminger, her fourth assist of the season. The three goals marked the fourth time this season that Nkiru has scored three or more goals in a contest.

LHC cut the deficit to 3-2 with five minutes remaining in the match, as sophomore Julie Isley, Snow Camp, NC, scored off an assist from senior Shelia Murphy, Asheville, NC, but that was as close as the Bears would come.

Clayton State outshot Lenoir-Rhyne 17-13 and had five corner kicks compared to only one for the Bears. Okosieme led CCSU with eight shots, while sophomore Amy Westmoreland, Martinsville, VA, had five shots for the Bears.

Sophomore LHC keeper Julie Crosby, Cincinnati, OH, finished with seven saves for Lenior-Rhyne, while Smith finished with five saves for Clayton State.

The CCSU win avenges a 5-0 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne last year and gives Clayton State a 2-1 edge in the series between the two clubs.

--CCSU--

CCSU women's soccer team falls
to North Alabama 2-0 Sun.

GameStats
Florence, AL-- September 16, 2001---The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team had a four-game winning streak snapped Sunday, falling to the University of North Alabama 2-0.

The loss drops Clayton State to 4-2 on the season, while UNA improves to an 3-3. The Lakers will return to action Friday, hosting Lenior-Rhyne College in a 5 p.m. match. CCSU defeated North Alabama last Sunday 4-1.

After a scoreless first half, North Alabama broke into the scoring column at the 71-minute mark of the contest on an unassisted goal by sophomore Christian Mascaro, Osteen, FL. The Lions added some insurance 11 minutes later as sophomore Allison Harris, Nashville, TN, pocketed a goal off an assist from Mascaro.

Clayton State outshot North Alabama 16-15 but had only three corner kicks compared to five for UNA. Laker sophomore Nkiru Okosieme, Onitsha Nigeria, led the squad with eight shots, while Mascaro had five for the Lions.

CCSU junior goalkeeper Michelle Smith finished with six saves, while North Alabama senior goalie Shelley Huggins finished with eight saves.

--CCSU--

CCSU defeats North Alabama 4-1;
Okosieme scores four goals in win

GameStats
Morrow, GA-- September 9, 2001--- Off to its best-ever start, the Clayton College & State University women's soccer team registered another win Sunday behind a record-setting performance from sophomore Nkiru Okosieme.

Okosieme, Onitsha Nigeria, broke the school record for goals in game, scoring four goals in the team's 4-1 win over the University of North Alabama. The four goals gives her 12 on the season, tying the school record for the most in a single season. She has three straight games of scoring three or more goals in a game and has scored 12 goals in her last four matches.

With the win, the Lakers (4-1; 1-0) tied the school's best-ever winning streak of four. The University of North Alabama drops to 1-3 on the season.

The Lakers jumped out to an early lead as Okosieme scored a goal 10 minutes into the match on a one-on-one play after the carrying the ball approximately 15 yards. She added her second goal 15 minutes later on a 25-yard bullet that found the upper left corner of the goal.

North Alabama broke into the scoring column 40 minutes into the match as freshman Breanna Smith (Sacramento, CA) scored a goal off an assist from sophomore Sarah Spidel (Polk, OH).

In the second half, Okosieme added two more insurance goals, the first coming at the 59-minute mark on an assist from sophomore Jennifer Chavalia, Tunnel Hill, GA. Nkiru rounded out the scoring at the 87-minute mark on a goal after a pass from senior Tiffany Cavin, Kennesaw, GA.

Both teams finished the match with 13 shots and Clayton State took seven corner kicks compared to six for the Lions. Okosieme had eight shots to lead the Lakers and freshman Ashley Elliott had four shots for North Alabama.

Clayton State junior keeper Michelle Smith, Conyers, GA, finished with six saves, while UNA goalie Shelley Huggins (Nashville, TN) had four saves.

--CCSU--

Clayton State defeats Spring Hill 4-0;
Okosieme scores three goals in win

GameStats
Morrow, GA-- September 3, 2001-- For the second straight game Nkiru Okosieme registered a "hat-trick," and for the third straight time, the Clayton College & State University women's soccer team came away victorious.

The Lakers defeated Spring Hill College 4-0 Monday behind the play of sophomore Okosieme, who scored three goals and had an assist in the match. She has scored eight goals and had one assist in her last three matches.

Clayton State, off to its best-ever season start with a 3-1 record, will return to action Sunday, hosting the University of North Alabama in a 2 p.m. match.

The Lakers jumped out to an early lead as sophomore Jocelyn Okoro, Stone Mountain, GA, scored her first goal of the season three minutes into the match. The score came on a centered pass from Okosieme and a touch pass from sophomore Jennifer Chavalia, Tunnel Hill, GA.

CCSU took a 2-0 lead at the 32-minute mark as Okosieme scored her first goal of the match as she sailed a shot over the goalie's head from more than 25 yards out.

After taking a two-goal lead into halftime, Okosieme added two more second half goals, the first coming on an assist from senior Tiffany Cavin, Kennesaw, GA, 64 minutes into the match. She added her third goal of the match on an unassisted shot less than 12 minutes later.

Spring Hill took 15 shots and four corner kicks compared to 14 shots and one corner kick for Clayton State. Sophomore Rocio Aleman (New Orleans, LA) led the Badgers with seven shots, while Okosieme had five for Clayton State.

CCSU junior goalie Michelle Smith, Conyers, GA, finished with six saves and recorded her first shutout of the season, while Spring Hill goalie Christine Arnesen, (Atlanta, GA) finished with seven saves.

--CCSU--

Clayton State women's team
defeats USCA 4-2; improves to 2-1

GameStats
Morrow, GA-- August 29, 2001-- The scoring duo of Nkiru Okosieme and Anya Heminger provided the offense, and the Clayton College & State University defense shut down a high-powered University of South Carolina Aiken offense enroute to a 4-2 Peach Belt Conference victory Wednesday.

A sophomore forward from Onitsha, Nigeria, Okosieme scored three goals and tied a school record for goals in a game that is shared by Leah Pharr and Nicole Kirkland. Including the two goals against Florida Southern College on Tuesday, she has scored five goals in the last two games. Heminger, a junior forward from Ontario, OR, also provided plenty of offensive punch, scoring a goal and dishing off two assists.

The win improved Clayton State to 2-1 and 1-0 in the conference, while the University of South Carolina-Aiken drops to 0-2 and 0-1 in the PBC. Up next, the women's team will host Spring Hill College in a 5 p.m. match on Monday, September 3.

USCA jumped out to any early lead on a goal by senior Kristen Haas (Brunswick, ME) five minutes into the match. The Lakers answered 20 minutes later on the first of Okosieme's three straight goals. Nkiru added two more goals in the next 10 minutes to give Clayton State a 3-1 lead at halftime.

In the second half, USCA cut the deficit to one goal as Haas headed in a goal on an assist from junior Mandy Nicoli (Gaithersburg, MD). The goal was Haas' second of the day and came three minutes into the second half.

Heminger provided some insurance, however, adding a goal at the 64-minute mark on a pass from sophomore Jill Kowalczyk, Conyers, GA, giving the team a two-goal lead, 4-2.

Clayton State outshot the Pacers 18-14, led by Okosieme's eight shots, followed by Heminger with four. Haas led Aiken with four shots.

Junior CCSU goalie Michelle Smith (Conyers, GA) finished with six saves, while senior USCA goalie Tiffany Thursby (Chatham, IL,) finished with five saves.

Clayton State had six corner kicks compared to eight for USCA, and the Lakers were whistled for nine fouls compared to eight for the Pacers.

.

--CCSU--

Clayton State defeats
Florida Southern 2-1 in OT

GameStats
Morrow, GA-- August 28, 2001--The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team notched its first victory of the season, thanks in large part to the left foot of Laker forward Nkiru Okosieme.

A sophomore from Onitsha, Nigeria, Okosieme broke a 1-1 overtime tie, firing a 25-yard shot off her left foot that found the upper right corner of the goal and beyond the outstretched arms of Florida Southern College goalie Lacy Emmerling. The goal, which came 96 minutes into the match and was Okosieme's second of the day, gave Clayton State a 2-1 victory over Florida Southern.

The win improved Clayton State to 1-1 on the season, while Florida Southern falls to 0-2. The Lakers will bounce right back into action tomorrow (Wednesday, August 29), opening their Peach Belt Conference schedule against the University of South Carolina Aiken. Both the women's and men's team will face USCA with the women's match, beginning at 3 p.m. and the men's match at 5 p.m.

CCSU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, 44 minutes into the match as Okosieme scored her first goal on a serve from junior Zulynette Olivo (Ellenwood, GA). The Lakers took a 1-0 lead into halftime and held onto the advantage for the first 38 minutes of the second half until FSC's Tara Cameron (North Ft. Myers, FL) fired a 15-yard shot in the upper left corner of the net, tying the score at 1-1.

Clayton State outshot the Moccasins 19-8 and was led by Okosieme's 13, which broke a single season record for shots in a contest. Junior Leah Pharr (Macon, GA) set the previous record of 11 last season against Spelman College.

Freshman CCSU goalie Amanda McMillan (Watkinsville, GA), playing her first-ever collegiate match in goal, provided a stellar performance with eight saves, while junior FSC goalie Emmerling (Melbourne, FL) finished with five saves.

Florida Southern had nine corner kicks compared to only three for Clayton State. The match was a physical one as both teams were whistled for 13 fouls apiece.

--CCSU--

CCSU women's soccer team
falls to Montevallo 3-1 in season opener
GameStats

Morrow, GA-- August 25, 2001--The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team dropped its season opener Saturday, falling to the University of Montevallo 3-1.

Montevallo (1-0) jumped out to an early lead as sophomore midfielder Jessica Lindell (Moindal, Sweden) scored a goal 10 minutes into the match. The match remained 1-0 at the half.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, a Montevallo mistake tied the match at one apiece as a Lady Falcon player attempted to kick the ball back to her goalie only to kick the ball in her own goal.

Montevallo bounced back, however, thanks in large part to the play of sophomore forward Peetra Vaisanen (Porvoo, Finland). She scored two goals, the first at the 74-minute mark on a goalie deflection and the next one five minutes later on a one-on-one play, where she beat the keeper for a goal.

The Lady Falcons finished with 14 shots compared to only eight for Clayton State. UM keeper Adrianne Peters (Huntsville, AL) finished with four saves, while CCSU goalie Michelle Smith (Conyers, GA) had four saves.

The match was a physical one as Montevallo was whistled for 17 fouls, while Clayton State committed eight.

Up next, Clayton State (0-1) will host Flordia Southern College in a 2 p.m. match on Tuesday, August 28.

--CCSU--