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MORROW, GA --- The Clayton College & State University men’s and women’s soccer seasons came to an end last month, and earlier this week, each team had a player recognized for their play during the 2002 season.

 For the second year in a row, Clayton State junior Nkiru Okosieme (Onitsha, Nigeria) was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas All-Southeast Region team along with senior Warren van der Westhuizen (Johannesburg, South Africa) from the men’s squad, who was named All-Southeast Region for the third straight year, the most-ever by a Clayton State player.

 Okosieme, who has represented her native land of Nigeria in three World Cups, is one of Division II's most skillful players and finished the season with a team-leading 14 goals and eight assists on the year.

 A two-time All-Peach Belt Conference selection, Okosieme finished the 2002 season as the third leading scorer in the league and third in points per contest. She had five multi-goal games this season, increasing her total to 16 in her two-year career.

 She finished the 2001 season as the second-leading scorer in the nation and broke PBC records in the following categories: goals in a season, 33; goals in a match 4; points in a season, 72; points in a match, 8; game-winning goals, 9; shots in a season, 117; and shots in a match, 13.

 Okosieme helped lead the Lakers to their most successful season ever in the Peach Belt Conference with a third place finish in 2002.  Clayton State advanced to the finals of the conference tournament before falling 1-0 to PBC champ and seventh-ranked Kennesaw State. The Laker season also included upset victories over two-nationally ranked teams in North Florida and Francis Marion.

  Westhuizen, a three-time All-Peach Belt Conference selection, recently closed out a stellar career in goal for the Lakers and was one of the team’s leaders in elevating the Clayton State soccer program to national prominence over the last three seasons.

 MORROW, GA – After its highest finish ever of third place in the Peach Belt Conference and a runner-up finish in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, the Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team recently had several players recognized with postseason PBC honors.

 Clayton State junior forward/midfielder Nkiru Okosieme (Ontisha, Nigeria) was named to the 2002 All-Peach Belt Conference team for the second straight season, while freshman goalkeeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria) was named to the squad for the first time. Okosieme was also named to the PBC All-Tournament team along with senior forward Leah Pharr (Macon, GA) and junior defender Jessica Grenier.

 Nkiru Okosieme, who has represented her native land of Nigeria in three World Cups, is one of Division II's most skillful players finished the season with a team-leading 14 goals and eight assists on the year.

 A 2001 All-Southeast Region selection, Okosieme finished the 2002 season as the third leading scorer in the PBC and third in points per contest. She had five multi-goal games this season, increasing her total to 16 in her two-year career.

 She finished the 2001 season as the second-leading scorer in the nation and broke PBC records in the following categories: goals in a season, 33; goals in a match 4; points in a season, 72; points in a match, 8; game-winning goals, 9; shots in a season, 117; and shots in a match, 13.

 Chime, CCSU’s first-ever freshman to be named to the All-Conference squad, shattered the school single-season goals against average with a .64 GAA this season, breaking the previous best of 1.92 set last year. She ranks 19^th in the nation in goals against average.

 Playing 1,815 of 1,817 minutes in goal for the Lakers, Chime allowed only 13 goals on the year. She finished with 98 saves on the year, averaging over five per match.

 A 5-7, forward from Macon, GA, Pharr was a four-year starter for the Lakers and started 65 matches in her career, which ranks among the CCSU’s all-time best. She was the team’s third-leading scorer in 2002, finishing with nine goals on the year. She received the team’s most valuable offensive player and led the team in scoring her sophomore season, while she received the team’s most valuable defensive award as a freshman. 

Grenier, a three-year starter at sweeper, was named to the All-Peach Belt Conference team for the second time. She was also named to the 2000 PBC All-Tournament team.

 Grenier (Bedford, N.H.) has started 54 matches in her three-year career and helped lead Clayton State to its lowest ever goals against average of .64 in the 2002 season. Clayton State’s goals against average ranked 17^th in the country this year.

Clayton State’s season recently came to an end in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament finals, falling 1-0 to PBC champ and seventh-ranked Kennesaw State. The Lakers’ third place finish in the regular season and second place in the tournament also included upset victories over two-nationally ranked teams in North Florida and Francis Marion.

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Game Stats
KENNESAW, GA – After a thrilling upset victory in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals on Saturday, the Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team came one goal short in its quest for the program’s first-ever championship, falling 1-0 in the PBC Tournament Championships to host Kennesaw State University Sunday. 

Kennesaw State (18-0) scored the game-winning goal in the 34^th-minute of the match on a shot from Janae Gzehoviak. The Lakers caught a bit of bad luck on the play as the Clayton State defense was in position, but Gzehoviak’s shot ricocheted off a Clayton State defender and found upper right corner of the goal from 15 yards out.

With the win, Clayton State ends its season with a 10-4-5 record, while the eighth-ranked Owls will await word on whether they will receive a bid to the NCAA Championships, beginning next week. 

Clayton State had a couple of scoring opportunities in Sunday’s match as leading scorer Nkiru Okosieme finished the contest with five shots. Under constant pressure, Okosieme fired a couple of shots from the KSU box but was unable to convert. One shot in the first half off her left foot from eight yards sailed left of the goal, while a hurried shot in the second half from seven yards out flew just high of the goal. 

The Lakers finished the match with nine shots and four corner kicks compared to 11 shots and 11 corner kicks for the Owls. Clayton State keeper Judith Chime finished with five saves, while KSU keeper Jessica Marek had two saves. 

Clayton State, seeded third in the tourney, advanced to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship on Sunday, upsetting No. 2 seed North Florida 6-5 on penalty kicks in the semifinals Saturday. With the game on the line, Zulynette Olivo blasted a shot into the left corner of the net past the Ospreys goalkeeper Haley Epsteen to seal the win.

After 110 scoreless minutes of action during regulation and two overtime sessions, each team made three out of the first five penalty shots. They advanced to a sudden death shootout where the two teams traded consecutive made penalty shots.  Finally, North Florida's Kelleigh Murphy pulled a shot wide left and left the door open for Olivo.

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Game Stats
Kennesaw, Georgia – The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team is one win away from its first-ever championship. 

The Lakers, seeded fourth in the tourney, advanced to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship on Sunday, upsetting No. 2 seed North Florida 6-5 on penalty kicks in the semifinals Saturday at Kennesaw State. With the game on the line, Zulynette Olivo blasted a shot into the left corner of the net past the Ospreys goalkeeper Haley Epsteen to seal the win. 

After 110 scoreless minutes of action during regulation and two overtime sessions, each team made three out of the first five penalty shots. They advanced to a sudden death shootout where the two teams traded consecutive made penalty shots.  Finally, North Florida's Kelleigh Murphy pulled a shot wide left and left the door open for Olivo. 

North Florida (15-2-2) had their chances in the first half but could not get a shot past Clayton State (10-3-5) goalkeeper Judith Chime.  In the 26th minute, Dana Hemke had an open net but shot the ball off the crossbar. 

Neither team had another good scoring opportunity until the second overtime.  In the 107th minute, Clayton State's Florence Okpala rambled down the sidelines and drew Epsteen out to meet her.  With an open net, Okpala pushed a shot wide left, and the game remained tied. 

With the rule of a postseason shootout match being recorded as a tie, the door is left open for North Florida to receive a national bid while the Lakers will look to avenge a 1-0 loss to Kennesaw State. The Lakers championship pursuit continues on Sunday at 2 p.m. at KSU.  

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CCSU women defeat Lander 4-1 in PBC Tournament; advance to semifinals on Sat.

Game Stats 
CONYERS, GA --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament with a 4-1 win over Lander University at the Rockdale Youth Association Soccerplex in Conyers.

With the win, the third-seeded Lakers (10-3-4) will advance to the semifinals of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, which will be played at Kennesaw State University, and face the winner of tonight’s match between second-seeded the University of North Florida and seventh-seeded the University of South Carolina Aiken.

The Lakers’ semifinal match will be on Saturday at noon, followed by the second semifinal match at 2:30 p.m. The championship game will be played Sunday at 2 p.m.  The loss for Lander, the tournament’s sixth seed, ends its season with a 7-10-1 record.

Clayton State’s Florence Okpala got the Lakers on the scoreboard in the 30^th minute of the match, scoring on a shot from 15 yards out off a pass from Jill Kowalczyk. The goal was Okpala’s 12^th of the season.

The Lakers extended their lead five minutes later as Leah Pharr broke away from the Senator defense after a pass from Anya Heminger. Pharr carried the ball for 15 yards before beating keeper Katherine Duncan to give the Lakers a 2-0 lead.

In the second half, Pharr struck again for another goal 10 minutes into play on another breakaway, this time off a pass from Caryn Carpenter. The goal was Pharr’s ninth of the season. Lander’s Lauren Stutts cut the deficit to 3-1 in the 70^th minute of the match, firing a shot over the head of keeper Judith Chime. The goal from 25 yards out came off a pass from Jenny Jaques.

Clayton State leading scorer Nkiru Okosieme provided the Lakers with a little insurance in the 78^th minute scoring her 14^th goal of the season on a breakaway. Okosieme took a pass from Jessica Grenier and carried the ball for 40 yards before pocketing a goal from seven yards out.

 The match, originally scheduled to be played on the campus of Clayton State in Morrow, GA, was moved to the RYSA Soccerplex after heavy rain yesterday.

 ##CCSU##

Clayton State’s Florence Okpala
named PBC Player of the Week  

MORROW, GA --- After leading the Lakers to a 2-1 win over the University of South Carolina Aiken Saturday, Clayton College & State University’s Florence Okpala was named the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week by the league office Monday. 

Okpala scored two goals in the team’s 2-1 win over USCA, which clinched third place for the Lakers in the Peach Belt Conference, the team’s highest finish ever in the league. Clayton State finished the regular season with a 9-3-4 record and a 4-2-1 mark in the PBC. 

In her first season at Clayton State, Okpala, a sophomore, is the team’s second leading scorer with 11 goals on the season. She ranks fifth in the PBC in goals scored and sixth in total points. A native of Akpo, Nigeria, she joined the Lakers after playing last year at Division I Southeastern Louisiana University. The game at USCA was her fifth multiple-goal game of the year.

The Lakers will return to action on Wednesday, November 6, facing Lander University in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament. The match will be played at the Rockdale Youth Soccer Association Soccerplex at 3 p.m. If the Lakers win, they will play in the PBC semifinals against the winner of the University of North Florida and USCA on Saturday.

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Laker women defeat USC-Aiken 2-1 on Sat.

Game Stats
Aiken, SC----November 3, 2002---- The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team captured its highest finish ever in the Peach Belt Conference, securing the spot with a 2-1 win over the University of South Carolina Aiken Saturday.

The win, in the regular season finale, secures third place in the PBC with a 4-2-1 record in the league. Clayton State (9-3-4) will return to action on Wednesday, hosting Lander in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference tournament.

Clayton State sophomore Florence Opkala scored both goals in the win with her first goal, coming 37 minutes in the match off an assist from junior Nkiru Okosieme. Okpala scored her second goal of the match seven minutes later on an unassisted play. The two goals give Okpala 11 on the season and her fifth multi-goal game of the season.

USCA cut the deficit to one goal at 63-minute mark on an unassisted play by Julie Padgett. The Pacers finished the match with 11 shots and seven corner kicks compared to eight shots and three for the Lakers. 

Clayton State's Judith Chime finished the match with seven saves, while USCA's Shannon Hobbs had four.  

###CCSU###

Clayton State women fall to Tusculum 1-0 

Game Stats
GREENEVILLE, TN --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team dropped its third match of the season Wednesday, falling to Tusculum College 1-0 in Greeneville, TN.

The loss drops Clayton State to 8-3-4 on the year, while Tusculum improves to 11-5-1 on the season. The Lakers will return to action on Saturday, traveling to face Peach Belt Conference opponent the University of South Carolina Aiken in its regular season finale at 5 p.m. After Saturday’s matches, the Lakers will play in the first round of PBC tournament on Wednesday. 

Tusculum’s Erin Wallace scored the lone goal of the match in the 49^th minute of the match off an assist from Amanda Stepp. 

Clayton State finished the match with 10 shots and one corner kick, compared to 15 shots and 11 corner kicks for the Pioneers. Laker keeper Judith Chime finished the match with seven saves, while Tusculum keeper Jennie Murphy had four saves.

##CCSU##

Clayton State women defeat UNCP 2-0 on homecoming Saturday  

Game Stats
MORROW, GA --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team posted its 8^th win of the season Saturday and kept alive its chances for a third place finish in the Peach Belt Conference, defeating PBC opponent the University of North Carolina Pembroke 2-0 on homecoming.

The win improves Clayton State to 8-2-4 overall and 3-2-1 in the league, while the loss drops the Braves to 4-8-4 and 0-5-1 in the league. The Lakers will return to action on Wednesday, traveling to face Tusculum College, while the Braves will play at Wingate on Monday.

Clayton State took an early lead in the match as Florence Okpala pocketed the goal on a shot from eight yards after carrying the ball for 25 yards, slashing through the UNCP defense. The play was setup on a pass from Leah Parr.

After neither team scored for 61 minutes, Okpala provided the Lakers some insurance, scoring her second goal of the match and her ninth of the season on a shot from 15 yards out.

Clayton State finished with 13 shots and five corner kicks compared to 10 and two for the Braves.  Laker keeper Judith Chime finished with five saves and posted her seventh shutout of the year, while UNCP’s keeper finished with eight saves in the match.

 With the win, the Lakers lead in the all-time series 2-0.

  ###CCSU###

Clayton State women topple #9 Francis Marion 2-1 in Peach Belt Conference soccer action

Game Stats
AIKEN, SC — The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team captured its biggest win in Clayton State women’s soccer history Monday, upsetting Peach Belt Conference opponent Francis Marion University 2-1 in Aiken, S.C.

Francis Marion entered the match fresh off a No. 9 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll and sported a 11-2 record. The win was the women’s program’s first-ever victory over a nationally ranked team.

Clayton State leading scorer Nkiru Okosieme provided the offensive punch in the match, scoring both goals. Her first goal came at the 27-minute mark off an assist from sophomore Florence Okpala. Okosieme, a junior forward, added her second goal in the second half at the 57-minute mark. The two-goal game gives Okosieme 13 goals on the season and is her fifth multi-goal match of the season.

Francis Marion cut the deficit to 2-1 with nine minutes remaining on a goal by Katie Roberts, but the Lakers were able to hold onto the victory.

Clayton State finished the match with 12 shots and three corner kicks compared to eight shots and four corner kicks for the Patriots. Laker freshman keeper Judith Chime finished with three saves compared to five saves for FMU’s Mandy Liles.

With the win, the Lakers improve to 7-2-4 on the season and 2-2-1 in the conference. FMU falls to 11-3 and 2-2 in the league. Clayton State will return to PBC action on Saturday, hosting the University of North Carolina Pembroke for homecoming at 1 p.m.

The win was also Clayton State’s first-ever victory over Francis Marion as the Patriots did hold a 6-0 edge in the all-time series before Monday’s match. The match was played at USCA after being postponed due to a car accident that seriously injured two FMU players earlier this month. The match was originally scheduled for October 12th in Florence, SC.

###CCSU### 

Game Stats 
MORROW, GA — Clayton College & State University’s Nkiru Okosieme scored two second half goals to lead the Laker women’s soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Lander University in Peach Belt Conference action Saturday.

Junior Okosieme scored her first goal from seven yards at the 47-minute mark, maneuvering through the Senator defense after taking a pass from sophomore Florence Okpala.

Clayton State took a 2-0 lead at the 65-minute mark as Okosieme converted a penalty kick after a foul in the box. The goal was Okosieme’s team-leading 11th goal of the season.

With the win, the Lakers improve to 6-2-4 on the season and 1-2-1 in the conference. Lander falls to 6-6-1 and 2-4-1 in the league. Clayton State will return to action on Monday, traveling to face Francis Marion. The match, postponed last week, will be played at the University of South Carolina Aiken at 7 p.m. Lander returns to action on Wednesday, traveling to Presbyterian College.

The Lakers controlled much of the play in Saturday’s match, taking 30 shots, compared to nine for the Senators. Clayton State finished with eight corner kicks compared to two for Lander. CCSU keeper Judith Chime finished with three saves, and posted her sixth shutout of the season, while Lander keeper Katherine Duncan had 12 saves.

Lander committed 14 fouls and had two yellow cards, while Clayton State was whistled for 10 fouls. Clayton State improves to 5-1 all-time against the Senators. 

##CCSU##

Game Stats
MORROW, GA --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team posted its fifth win of the season Thursday, blanking Spelman College 8-0. 

The Lakers (5-2-4) will return to Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday, hosting Lander University in a 12 p.m. match. Lander is 6-5-1 overall and 2-3-1 in the conference and coming off a 3-0 victory over Newberry on Wednesday.

In Thursday’s match, the Lakers were paced by senior Leah Pharr and sophomore Florence Okpala as each scored three goals in the match.

Okpala got the Lakers on the scoreboard 10 minutes into the match, scoring off a pass from Jill Kowalczyk. The Lakers pushed their lead to 2-0 at the 16-minute mark as Leah Pharr converted a penalty kick after a handball in the Spleman box.Clayton State took a 3-0 lead only minutes later as Okapla scored off an assist from senior Anya Heminger and held onto the lead into halftime.

In the second half, Pharr scored her second goal seven minutes into the period off a corner kick from Heminger. The Lakers pushed their lead to 6-0 on consecutive unassisted goals by Jocelyn Okoro and Okpala. Okoro’s goal was her first of the season, while Okapla’s was her third of the match and seventh of the season.

Pharr scored her third goal of the match and seventh of the season in the 69^th minute on a pass from junior Nkiru Okosieme, while Kowalczyk got her second goal of the season off another assist from Okosieme to finish off the scoring for the Lakers.

Clayton State outshot the Jaguars 44-3 and had 15 corner kicks in the match. Clayton State keeper Judith Chime posted her fifth shutout and had one save, while Spelman keeper Fatima Gaskin finished with 14 saves.

##CCSU##

Game Stats
MORROW, GA---The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team dropped its second match of the season Sunday, falling 1-0 to Peach Belt Conference foe the University of North Florida at Laker Field.

North Florida’s Dana Hemke scored the lone goal of the match off an assist from her sister Diane Hemke in the 23rd minute of the match to pull out the victory. The win improves North Florida to 9-2-1 overall and 3-1 in the Peach Belt, while Clayton State falls to 4-2-4 and 0-2-1 in the league. The Lakers will return to PBC action on Saturday, October 12, traveling to face Francis Marion University, while North Florida will host Coker College on Friday, October 11.

In Sunday’s match, the Ospreys controlled much of the play, outshooting Clayton State 19-5, but the Lakers did have several scoring opportunities. Sophomore Florence Okpala had two chances in the first half to score, as she had one shot sail just wide and another one stopped on a save by UNF keeper Haley Epsteen.

Clayton State’s best scoring opportunity, however, came in the second half with 21 minutes remaining as Okpala crossed a ball into the box that junior Nkiru Okosieme headed just wide of the goal.

Laker keeper Judith Chime finished the match with a season high 11 saves compared to two saves for Epsteen. North Florida finished with six corner kicks and was whistled for five fouls, compared to four corner kicks and 10 fouls for Clayton State.

The match was delayed twice in the second half, once for 10 minutes due a North Florida injury and for another 15 minutes due to lightning. 

###CCSU###

Game Stats
MORROW, GA---The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team posted its fourth win of the season Friday in convincing fashion, blanking Spelman College 9-0 on Laker Field.

Seniors Leah Parr and Anya Heminger, junior Nkiru Okosieme and sophomore Florence Okapla all had multiple goals in the match to lead the offensive explosion. In addition, Okosieme had two assists and Pharr and Heminger each had one to pace the squad.

With the win, Clayton State improves to 4-1-4 on the season and will return to Peach Belt Conference action on Sunday, hosting the University of North Florida in a 2 p.m. match. North Florida is coming off a 3-0 loss to PBC rival Kennesaw State on Friday.

CCSU’s nine goals, seven assists and 41 shots Friday broke single-game school records in each category. The previous records of eight goals, six assists and 35 shots were set against Wesleyan in 1997.

Pharr got the Lakers on the scoreboard in the 28th minute, scoring on an unassisted play after a shot bounced off the goalpost. Okosieme scored the team’s next two goals in a two-minute span, scoring on a shot from seven yards on a pass from Pharr. Okosieme’s second goal came on an unassisted shot from 30 yards out.

Okpala got into the scoring act in the 33rd minute to give the Lakers a 4-0 lead, scoring from 15 yards out off a pass from Okosieme. Pharr scored her second goal of the match in the 65th minute, dribbling past the keeper to an open goal, followed by drilling a shot from 10 yards out. Okpala was credited for the assist on the play. Heminger scored her first goal of the match on a cross from Okosieme 10 minutes later.

The Lakers increased their lead to 7-0 in the 81st minute on Pharr’s third goal of the match, off an assist from junior Jocelyn Okoro. Okapla scored her second goal of the match on 20-yard laser beam, off a corner kick from Heminger. The Lakers closed out the game with a goal from Heminger in the 88th minute, off a pass from freshman Quellie Garnett.

Clayton State keeper Judith Chime posted her fourth shutout in the match, lowering her goals against average to .71 on the season. The Lakers outshot the Jaguars 41-4 in the match and had eight corner kicks.

###CCSU###

Game Stats
MORROW, GA---For the fourth time this season, the Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team battled to a two-overtime tie, this time it came against Thomas University on Thursday at Laker Field on the campus of Clayton State.

The tie gives Clayton State a 3-1-4 record on the season, while Thomas sits at 3-5-1. The Lakers will return to the field on Friday, hosting Spelman College in a 5 p.m. match.

CCSU’s best overtime scoring opportunity came late in the second overtime period as junior leading scorer Nkiru Okosieme corralled a loose ball in the Thomas University box but was forced to hurry a shot that sailed just over the goal. 

Clayton State junior Jessica Grenier came inches from her first goal of the season in the first half, drilling a shot from 20 yards out that was tipped by Thomas keeper Dora Rognvaldsdottir before hitting the top bar of the goalpost.

Thomas’ best scoring opportunity came in the first half on a breakaway by Darlene Campbell but Clayton State freshman keeper Judith Chime made a sliding block to avert a goal.

The Night Hawks finished with 16 shots, compared to 14 for the Lakers, while Thomas keeper Rognvaldsdottir and Chime each finished with seven saves. Thomas had five corner kicks and was whistled for eight fouls compared to two corner kicks and 14 fouls for Clayton State.

 Game Stats
Kennesaw, GA---The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team dropped its first match of the season, falling 1-0 to Peach Belt Conference rival Kennesaw State University in a soggy soccer match at KSU Wednesday afternoon.

KSU’s Kasey Baker scored the game-winning goal 18 minutes into the match on assists from Jessica Fream and Catherine Clarke. 

Clayton State controlled play in the second half, taking 11 shots compared to only five for KSU but was unable to finish on its scoring opportunities. The Lakers’ top two chances in the half came as Nkiru Okosieme and Florence Okpala broke free from the KSU defense, but both times Owl keeper Jessica Marek made sliding saves to prevent Clayton State scores. 

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 3-1-3 on the season and 0-1-1 in Peach Belt Conference play, while KSU improves to 6-0 and 2-0 in PBC action. The Lakers will return to the field on Tuesday, October 1, hosting Spelman College in a 5 p.m. match. 

Outshooting the Lakers 10-2 in the first half, KSU finished the match with 15 shots compared to 13 for the Lakers. CCSU keeper Judith Chime had seven saves, while Marek recorded 10 for the Owls. 

The match was the first meeting between the two schools as Kennesaw State women’s soccer program is in its inaugural season.

  ##CCSU##

Game Stats
MORROW, GA---USC Spartanburg’s Jamie Newman scored a goal with just six minutes remaining Saturday against Clayton State, knotting the score at 2-2, forcing overtime and eventually a tie for both Peach Belt Conference schools after two extra 10-minute periods at Laker Field in Morrow. 

Newman took a pass from USCS Christine Pirinoli and slid a shot just past the outstretched arms of Clayton State keeper Judith Chime to tie the score in the 84^th minute. Clayton State had a chance in the final minutes as Leah Pharr broke away and had a one-one-one but her shot was denied after a sliding save by USCS keeper Lauren Sperber. 

The tie, Clayton State’s third in four matches, keeps its unbeaten streak alive at 3-0-3, while USCS sits at 1-3-1. The Lakers will return to PBC action on Wednesday, traveling to Kennesaw State University, while USCS will play Wednesday at Converse. 

USCS jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the match on a goal by Pirinoli, off an assist from Tara Calirni-Black. The shot came on an open goal at the 14-minute mark of the match.

Clayton State answered five minutes later as Laker leading scorer Nkiru Okosieme converted a penalty kick after being fouled in the box. The goal pocketed in the upper right of the net was her sixth of the season. 

Okosieme added her seventh goal of the season at the 55-minute mark on an assist from Jessica Grenier. Okosieme slid a shot past the keeper from seven yards out after Grenier’s cross. Neither team had a serious scoring opportunity in either of the overtime periods. 

CCSU and USCS each had 16 shots in the match, while USCS led in corner kicks 3-2. Laker keeper Chime had five saves compared to 11 for Sperber. 

##CCSU##

Game Stats
MONTEVALLO, AL---The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team posted its third win of the season Wednesday and kept its undefeated streak alive, defeating the University of Montevallo 2-0 in Montevallo, AL.

Senior Leah Pharr scored the game-winning goal, her first of the season, in the 60^th minute of the match on an assist from fellow senior Anya Heminger. The Lakers added some insurance two minutes later as Heminger scored her first goal of the season on an unassisted play.

Clayton State (3-0-2) outshot Montevallo (2-5) 12-11 in the match and had four corner kicks compared to three for the Falcons. CCSU keeper Judith Chime finished with two saves and recorded her second shutout of the season. MU keeper Adrienne Peters finished with five saves in the match.

The Lakers will put their unbeaten streak on the line Saturday, hosting defending Peach Belt Conference champion USC Spartanburg in a 5 p.m. match.

##CCSU##

Game Stats
HICKORY, NC - The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team kept its unbeaten streak alive Saturday, tying Lenoir-Rhyne College 1-1 in two overtimes in Hickory, NC.

The tie is the Lakers' second in as many games and gives the squad a 2-0-2 record on the season, while Lenoir-Rhyne is now 5-0-1 on the year. Clayton State will return to the field on Wednesday, September 18, traveling to face Montevallo in a 4:30 p.m. contest.

In Saturday's game, LHC jumped out to a 1-0 lead 16 minutes into the first half on a goal by Kristen Carter and held onto the lead until halftime. Clayton State answered early in the second half as Clayton State leading scorer Nkiru Okosieme scored her fifth goal of the season at the 46-minute mark.

Neither team was able to muster a goal for the remaining 44 minutes of the second half or in two 10-minute overtime periods as the match ended deadlocked.

The Bears outshot Clayton State 7-6 in the match and both teams had five corner kicks. Clayton State keeper Judith Chime finished with four saves, while LHC keeper Julie Crosby finished with three.

CCSU's Okosieme named
PBC Player of the Week

Morrow, GA-- September 9, 2002 -- Clayton College & State University's Nkiru Okosieme has led the Laker soccer team to a couple of wins and a tie in its first three matches this season, and her standout play hasn't gone unrecognized by the Peach Belt Conference as she was named the league's first Player of the Week in 2002 on Monday.

Okosieme, who was the second-leading scorer in the nation last season, opened the 2002 season with four goals and two assists in CCSU's first three games. She had two goals and an assist against Carson-Newman and followed that up with the game-winning goal in CCSU's 1-0 win over North Alabama. She had a goal and an assist in the team's tie against Lee University.

A junior striker, Nkiru shattered both Peach Belt Conference and school records last season with 33 goals on the year, averaging four points per contest. She was named to the All-Region and All-PBC teams along with being named PBC Player of the Week on two different occasions.

Okosieme finished the season as the second best goal scorer in the country averaging 1.83 goals per match, while her four points per match ranked fourth in the nation.

She had 12 multi-goal games last season and broke conference records in the following categories: goals in a season, 33; goals in a match, four; points in a season, 72; points in a match, eight; game-winning goals, nine; shots in a season 117; and shots in a match, 13.

The Clayton State women's squad will return to the field on Saturday, traveling to face Lenoir-Rhyne for a 2 p.m. match. The team's next home match will be September 21, hosting USC Spartanburg in a 5 p.m. match.

--CCSU--

CCSU women tie Lee University 2-2
in KSU Invitational Saturday

Game Stats
 Kennesaw, GA-- Down 2-0 in the second half, the Clayton College & State University women's soccer team rallied for two second half goals to tie the match and send it into overtime against Lee University Saturday in the Kennesaw State Invitational. The Lakers were unable to muster up a third one, however, as the contest ended in a 2-2 tie.

In overtime, neither team mounted a serious scoring threat as Clayton State had only three shots in the two overtime periods compared to four by Lee University.

The tie gives Clayton State a 2-0-1 record on the season, while Lee sits at 2-1-1 on the year. The Lakers will return to the field on Saturday, traveling to Lenoir-Rhyne for a 2 p.m. match.

After a scoreless first half, Lee took a 1-0 lead in the match at the 48-minute mark, capitalizing on a penalty kick after a foul in the Clayton State box. Erlie Thelot did the honors, sliding a shot in the upper left corner, past the outstretched arms of keeper Judith Chime.

Lee pushed its lead to 2-0 less than seven minutes later as Thelot scored her second goal of the match on a shot from approximately 25 yards out that sailed over Chime's head. The goal was setup after a Clayton State defender attempted to clear a Lee shot attempt from the Clayton State box area.

The Lakers, however, came roaring back four minutes later as Nkiru Okosieme scored her fourth goal of the season on a breakaway. Okosieme carried the ball for approximately 20 yards before beating the keeper and finding the left corner of the goal from 15 yards out.

Clayton State knotted the match at two apiece nine minutes later as Jill Kowalczyk blasted a shot in the upper left corner of the net off a pass from Okosieme. The goal was Kowalczyk's first of the year and Okosieme's second assist of the season.

Clayton State outshot Lee University 18-16 in the match, including 11 shots by Okosieme, but Lee did have two shots that were barely off the mark in the second half, one that hit the cross bar and one that hit the right bar. Both teams had six corner kicks.

Chime finished with six saves in the match, compared to five for Lee's Anna Baxter. Lee was whistled for 20 fouls compared to only eight for Clayton State.

CCSU women's soccer team defeats 
North Alabama 1-0; improves to 2-0

Game Stats
Kennesaw, GA-- September 6, 2002--The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team pushed its record to 2-0 on the season Friday, thanks to the right foot of Nkiru Okosieme and a stout Laker defense. 

The Lakers defeated North Alabama 1-0 in the first annual Kennesaw State Invitational and will return to the field on Saturday at Kennesaw State to face Lee University in a 4:30 p.m. contest. Lee fell to Kennesaw State 4-1 in an earlier contest on Friday.

Okosieme scored the lone goal in the match at the 13-minute mark, after corralling a pass from Anya Heminger and blasting a shot from 20 yards out that found the upper left corner of the goal. The goal gives Okosieme, the nation's second leading scorer last year, three goals in two games.

The Laker defense held North Alabama (2-1) to five shots in the contest compared to 21 for the Clayton State. CCSU keeper Judith Chime finished with three saves, compared to eight for the Lions' Megan Thomas.

North Alabama will return to action on Saturday, facing host Kennesaw State in a 2 p.m. game.

Game Stats
McDonough, GA --- The Clayton College & State University women's soccer team opened the 2002 season with a bang behind the scoring duo of Nkiru Okosieme and Florence Okpala, defeating Carson-Newman 4-1 at the Henry County Soccerplex in McDonough, GA.

The Lakers (1-0) jumped out to an early lead, scoring three minutes into the match on Okosieme's direct kick from 25 yards shooting over the keeper's head that found the top of the net. Five minutes later Okosieme, the second leading scorer in the nation last year, scored her second goal on a pass from Jocelyn Okoro, drilling a shot in the net from five yards out.

Okpala got in the scoring column with 15 minutes remaining in the first half, taking a pass from Okosieme and firing a shot from 10 yards out. She added another goal one minute into the second half on a break away, beating the keeper for a goal.

Carson-Newman (1-1) averted a shutout in the 76^th minute of the match as Natalie Cothron, scored off a deflection after a pass from Melanie Waters.

Carson Newman outshot Clayton State 21-11 in the match and four corner kicks compared to none for Clayton State. Laker goalie Judith Chime shined in the match with 11 saves, including two sparkling saves in a second half on a penalty kick opportunity by the Eagles.

The Lakers will return to the field on Friday, traveling to Kennesaw State University for a tournament. CCSU will face North Alabama at 5 p.m. on Friday and Lee University at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Kennesaw State.