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Clayton State women’s soccer program announces 2004 schedule; set to open 10th season 

Morrow, GA --- July 23, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team is set to kick off its 10th season, and the 2004 season will feature several new opponents, including four in-state schools that will become instant rivals for the Lakers. 

Clayton State has 18 matches on tap for the 2004 season, which includes nine home games and an eight-game slate of Peach Belt Conference contests, followed by the Peach Belt tournament. 

The 2004 Lakers will open their season on the road, traveling to face the University of Montevallo on Saturday, August 28^th in a 3 p.m. match. The team will kick off its home slate of games on Sunday, September 5^th at 2 p.m. against Presbyterian College. 

The squad will open its Peach Belt schedule of games on Saturday, September 25^th, traveling to face the University of North Carolina Pembroke, followed by playing at the University of South Carolina Upstate, formerly USC Spartanburg, on Saturday, October 2^nd. The Lakers first home PBC match will be Saturday, October 9^th against the University of South Carolina Aiken. 

Four new in-state opponents on the Laker schedule this year will be the State University of West Georgia, Columbus State University, Georgia College & State University and North Georgia College & State University. 

West Georgia, Columbus State and GC&SU are all kicking off their inaugural seasons of soccer in 2004. The Lakers will host West Georgia on Wednesday, October 6^th at Atlanta Silverbacks Park in Atlanta, GA. The Lakers will travel to North Georgia in Dahlonega, GA, on Thursday, September 2^nd, hit the road to face Columbus State in Columbus, GA, on Saturday, October 16^th and host GC&SU on Sunday, October 24^th. 

Columbus State and GC&SU will both be Peach Belt Conference games, giving the league nine schools in the league for the 2004 season. 

One opponent that will no longer be a soccer school in the Peach Belt but still a rival for the Lakers will be Kennesaw State University. The Owls, who won the in NCAA Division II National Championship last season, will make the move to NCAA Division I in soccer in 2004. Clayton State will still face-off against their north metro-Atlanta rival on Saturday, October 23^rd in Kennesaw, GA. 

After finishing the 2002 season with a program best 11-4-4 record, the 2003 Lakers were decimated by injuries and were without the services of their two leading scorers and four starters for most the 2003 season, finishing with a 4-14-1 record.  

The outlook for the 2004 season is bright, as the Lakers return a wealth of talent, including All-America candidate Nkiru Okosieme. A two-time All-Region and All-Peach Belt player, returns for senior season after sitting out last season to play in the fourth FIFA World Cup. Okosieme is the all-time leading scorer in the Peach Belt with 47 goals in only two years of play.  

In addition to Okosieme, two other top returnees from last season will be two-time Peach Belt Conference keeper Judith Chime and All-Conference selection Cassandra Rapaich. Seniors Florence Okpala and Jill Kowalczyk will also return after missing much of last season due to injuries.   

Founded in 1969, Clayton College & State University is located on a beautiful lakeside campus in south suburban Atlanta. A four public school with an enrollment of  6,000 students, Clayton State is a member of the University System of Georgia. The Lakers are NCAA Division II members and compete out of the Peach Belt Conference.  

###CCSU###

Clayton State women’s soccer season ends with 4-0 loss to USC Spartanburg in PBC Tournament Tuesday 

Spartanburg, SC --- November 4, 2003 --- The University of South Carolina Spartanburg struck for two quick first half goals and that’s all the Lady Rifles needed Tuesday, before downing the Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team 4-0 in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament in Spartanburg, SC. 

USCS’s Jamie Newman scored the game-winner 13 minutes into the match after a cross from 25 yards by Terra Goswick. The Lady Rifles added another goal only a minute later as a shot by Dawn Soule slid off the hands of Clayton State sophomore keeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria) and into the net from 24 yards out. 

Spartanburg added a little insurance in the second half as Leslie Logwood scored at the 73-minute mark off assists from Newman and Cassie Scott. Venice Williams added the club’s fourth goal in the 79^th minute on a penalty kick.     

            USCS controlled the match, taking 18 shots compared to only two for Clayton State. Chime had seven saves in the match, while USCS keeper Diana Wabnitz finished with one.  

The loss ends the season for Clayton State with a 4-14-1 record on the year. USC Spartanburg improves to 12-5-1 on the season and will advance to the Peach Belt Conference semifinals on Friday, facing the University of North Florida. 

##CCSU##

FLORENCE, SC – Senior forward Katie Roberts scored a pair of second-half goals to tie the Peach Belt Conference career mark for goals as Francis Marion University overcame a sluggish start to down Clayton College & State University 4-0, Saturday afternoon (Nov. 1) in PBC women's soccer action.

Clayton State closes the regular season with a 4-13-1 record, while Francis Marion improves to 10-6-1 overall

By virtue of the win, FMU will play host to UNC Pembroke, Tuesday at 2 p.m. in a first-round PBC Tournament match.  CC&SU will also open tournament play Tuesday at USC Spartanburg.

Roberts celebrated Senior Day by scoring two goals to equal the PBC career mark of 47 set by Clayton State’s Nkiru Okosieme last season.  The Frederick, Md., native also improved her FMU career-record totals to 218 shots, 47 goals, and 128 points. 

Despite outshooting the Lady Lakers 13-2 in the opening half, FMU could not dent the scoreboard. Roberts gave FMU a 1-0 lead at the 63:05 mark when she received a pass from Lauren Cunningham and scored from 15 yards out.  Junior Kristi Eyler corralled a loose ball in the box and knocked home an eight-yard shot at 74:51 to double the FMU advantage.

Sophomore Katie Riley used a Mollie Jones cross to score on a six-yard shot at 79:01, and Roberts concluded the scoring at 85:58 when she scored on a five-yard shot following a Morgan Harwood cross.
 
On the afternoon, Francis Marion fired a PBC single-match record 33 shots, while holding Clayton State to only three shots.  Patriot junior goalkeeper Jamie Gustason was required to make only one save en route to her second shutout of the season.  Clayton State goalkeeper Judith Chime tallied 10 saves in the loss.

Clayton State blanks Spelman 3-0; to play at 
PBC opponent Francis Marion on Saturday 

Morrow, GA --- October 27, 2003 --- Sophomore forward Ngozi Ezeocha scored two goals and dished off one assist Monday to lead the Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team to a 3-0 victory over Spelman College at Laker Field. 

            Clayton State jumped out to an early lead in the match as senior Zulynette Olivo (Ellenwood, GA) scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season from five yards out at the 18-minute mark after a cross from Ezeocha (Mgbidi, Nigeria). 

            Ezeocha gave the Lakers a little insurance 11 minutes later, intercepting a ball from the Spelman defense and then sliding a shot past Jaguar keeper Tiffany McGregory from 18 yards in the lower left of the net. 

            Clayton State added another goal early in the second half as Ezeocha scored on a shot in the lower left of the goal from 20 yards out. Ezeocha’s nine points in the match were a season best and her two goals give her five goals on the year. 

            The Lakers controlled the match, taking 26 shots compared to only seven for Spelman. Chime recorded her third shutout of the season and had three saves. McGregory (College Park, GA) had 10 saves for the Jaguars. 

Clayton State women’s soccer falls 2-0 to
PBC opponent UNC Pembroke Sat.  

Game Stats 
Morrow, GA --- October 25, 2003 --- Katie Stokes scored an early first half goal, and that’s all the University of North Carolina Pembroke women’s soccer team needed Saturday en route to a 2-0 Peach Belt Conference victory against Clayton College & State University at Laker Field in Morrow, GA. 

Sophomore forward Stokes (Charles Town, WV) scored the game-winner in 17^th minute of the match off an assist from freshman forward Lefke Boysen (Bremen, Germany). Stokes scored the goal on header from short range after freshman keeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria) deflected a shot by Boysen.

After nearly 55 minutes of scoreless play, the Braves added a little insurance in the 72^nd minute as junior midfielder Simonae Taylor (Jacksonville, NC) scored on a shot from six yards out after a cross from Boysen, her second assist of the match. 

The Braves controlled much of the match and had 29 shots compared to only eight for the Lakers. Chime finished with 15 saves, while freshman keeper Hillary Helms (Nashville, NC) finished with four saves. 

Clayton State topples Spelman College
10-2 in women’s soccer action Thursday

 Game Stats 
Morrow, GA --- October 23, 2003 ---With six first half goals, the Clayton State women’s soccer team struck early and often enroute to a 10-2 non-conference victory over Spelman College Thursday at Herndon Stadium in Atlanta, GA.

Clayton State freshman Kiera Morris (Fayetteville, GA) scored three of her four goals in the first half to lead the Lakers.  Morris received a pass from sophomore forward Kathryn Wilcox (McDonough, GA) and scored from 10 yards out to give the Lakers the lead nine minutes into the match.  One minute later Laker forward Ngozi Ezeocha (Mgbidi, Nigeria) scored her first goal on an assist from senior Zulynette Olivo (Ellenwood, GA) who also had three goals in the match.

The Lakers caught Spelman off guard at the 21-minute mark with a direct kick by senior forward Jocelyn Okoro (Stone Mountain, GA) that went into the net from 40 yards out.  Clayton State stayed aggressive for the remainder of the first half and scored three more goals. 

Spelman midfielder Kimberly Miller (Marietta, GA) scored from six yards off an assist by Chanel Vanderhorst (Buffalo, New York).  Striker Sarah Rogers (Longpoc, CA) headed a shot in the net off a corner kick by midfielder Shannon Ashley (Carmel, Indiana) for the Jaguars second goal.

Clayton State scored early in the second half with a shot by Morris who dribbled 20 yards before drilling a shot passed the outstretched arms of Jaguars goalkeeper Shani Morris (Waldorf, MD).  Laker freshman Halima Mohammadu (Fujairah, U.A.E.) had an assist on the play.  Clayton State freshman Cassandra Rapiach (Sarnia, Ontario) had two assists in the match, one of those was to Olivo who headed the ball from 15-yards that sailed over the goalkeeper. 

Clayton State controlled the match with 25 shots compared to 14 shots for the Jaguars.  The Lakers broke several records in the match, including goals (10) in a match and points (28). Morris also tied the single game record for goals in a match with four goals and broke the single game points record with nine points.

The Lakers improve to 3-11-1 on the season and look ahead to face Peach Belt Conference opponent UNC Pembroke at Laker Field Saturday in a 1:00 p.m match.   

##CCSU##

 Two second half goals lift #2 Kennesaw State to 2-0 victory over Peach Belt opponent Clayton State 

Morrow, GA --- October 22, 2003 --- After a scoreless first half, the second-ranked Kennesaw State University women’s soccer team struck for a lightning quick goal early in the second period and held on for a 2-0 Peach Belt Conference victory Wednesday against Clayton College & State University at Laker Field in Morrow, GA.  

The Owls scored 39 seconds into the second period after a cross from freshman midfielder Alissa Saylor (Fayetteville, GA) from along the end line to junior midfielder Jessie Fream (Woodstock, GA). Last year’s PBC Player of the Year, Fream drilled a shot in the lower left of the net past the outstretched arms of sophomore keeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria) for the score.  

Kennesaw State added a little bit of insurance late in the match as freshman defender Rebecca Hall (Widsor, England) blasted an indirect kick from five yards out in the upper left of the net. The short indirect kick resulted when Chime was whistled for picking up the ball after a fellow player passed it back to the keeper with her feet.  

The Lakers came close to taking an early lead in the match as sophomore forward Ngozi Ezeocha (Mgbidi, Nigeria) corralled a loose ball 25 yards out in an open goal situation. Ezeocha, however, was unable to get off a clean shot as it sailed over the goal 23 minutes into the match.  

KSU controlled much of the match and took 31 shots compared to only three for the Lakers.  Chime, the nation’s leader in saves, finished with 15 saves, including several at “point-blank” range. Owl sophomore keeper Jessica Marek (Huntsville, AL) recorded her fifth shutout in the victory.  

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 2-11-1 on the season and 1-4 in the Peach Belt, while Kennesaw State improves to a league best 14-1 overall and 5-0 mark in the league. Clayton State will return to action on Thursday, traveling to play Spelman College in a 4 p.m. match at Herndon Stadium on the campus of Morris Brown College.  

                The Lakers next home match will be on Saturday, hosting Peach Belt Conference opponent UNC Pembroke in a 1 p.m. match. Kennesaw returns to action on Saturday, hosting the University of South Carolina Aiken in a 1 p.m. contest. 

##CCSU##

Clayton State women’s soccer defeats Shorter
College 1-0 for second straight victory 

Rome, GA --- October 20, 2003 --- Clayton College & State University sophomore forward Ngozi Ezeocha scored a goal in the final minutes Monday to lift the Laker women’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Shorter College in Rome, GA. 

Ezeocha (Mgbidi, Nigeria) scored the game-winner, her first of the season, in the 87^th minute of the match, off assists from senior Jocelyn Okoro (Stone Mountain, GA) and freshman Halima Mohammadu (Fujairah, U.A.E.). 

Sophomore keeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria) once again sparkled in goal for the Lakers with eight saves and recorded her second shutout of the season. She leads the nation in saves per match at more than 13 per game. 

With the win, the Lakers improve to 2-10-1 on the season and capture their second straight win of the season after defeating Peach Belt Conference rival USC Aiken on Saturday 2-1. 

Clayton State will have a difficult task in keeping the winning streak alive, however, as the Lakers will host PBC foe Kennesaw State on Wednesday in a 4 p.m. match. The Owls, last year’s Peach Belt Conference champion, are currently ranked second in the country with a 13-1 record. 

After Wednesday’s match, the Lakers will play Spelman on Thursday, followed by hosting UNC Pembroke on Saturday for Homecoming and Senior Day. 

---LAKERS---

Clayton State women’s soccer teams
downs USCA 2-1 for first victory of season

 Aiken, SC--- October 18, 2003 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team snapped an11-game winless streak Saturday, downing Peach Belt Conference rival USC Aiken 2-1 at the Pacer Pit in Aiken, S.C.  

Senior Zulynette Olivo (Ellenwood, GA) provided the offensive punch in the Laker victory, scoring the first two goals of her career. Her first goal at the six-minute mark came on an unassisted play, breaking the through the middle and beating USC Aiken keeper Shannon Hobbs with a shot in the bottom right.  

The Pacers answered the score to the tie the match at one apiece at the 30-minute mark as Natasha DaCosta took a cross from Jen Mascarin and drilled a shot from 14 yards out into the upper right of the net, past diving sophomore Clayton State keeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria). 

 Olivo came back 10 minutes later to score the game-winning goal off an assist from Ngozi Ezeocha (Lagos, Nigeria) at the 40-minute. She beat the keeper, drilling a shot in the lower right. The two goals for Olivo were the first of her four-year career, as she has spent her the majority of her career as a defender until recent injuries to the club forced her up front. She also was had to leave the match with a shoulder injury only minutes after scoring her second goal.  

Clayton State controlled much of the first half with seven shots compared to only four for the Pacers. USCA took eight shots, while the Lakers finished with four in the second half. Chime had seven saves in the match, while Pacer keepers Shannon Hobbs and Amber Markley combined for three.  

With the win, the Lakers improve to 1-10-1 on the season and will return to action on Monday, traveling to face Shorter College in a 4 p.m. match. USCA falls to 2-9 on the year.   

 ---LAKERS---

Vaisanen’s two goals lift Montevallo to 2-1 overtime victory over Clayton State women’s soccer team Tues. 

Game Stats
Morrow, GA --- October 14, 2003 --- Senior forward Peetra Vaisanen scored two goals, the second one four minutes into overtime to lift the Montevallo women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory Tuesday, denying the Clayton College & State University squad its first win of the season.   

Vaisanen, from Porvoo, Finland, lifted a shot from 18 yards out over keeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Africa) after she had come out of goal to challenge a shot seconds earlier.  

For Vaisanen, the game-winning goal was her second goal of the match, as she tied the match at one apiece at the 41-minute mark with an 18-yard shot on an open goal, off an assist from freshman midfielder Megan Reichert (Madison, AL).  

Clayton State jumped out to an early lead in the match as freshman Kiera Morris (Fayetteville, GA) scored her first collegiate goal 28 minutes into the match off an assist from sophomore Ngozi Ezeocha (Mgbidi, Nigeria).

 Neither team had a serious scoring threat in the second half of the match in a steady rain. Clayton State controlled much of the second half, taking 10 shots compared to only four for the Falcons. The Lakers finished with a season-high 16 shots compared to only 12 for Montevallo. Clayton State keeper Chime finished with six saves, while Falcon sophomore keeper Emily Thurmond (Homewood, AL) had eight saves. 

 With the loss, the Lakers drop to 0-10-1, while Montevallo improves to 5-11. The Lakers will return to Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday, traveling to face the USC Aiken in a 1 p.m. match.   

 ##CCSU##

Clayton State women’s soccer falls 3-0 to Longwood Sat.; to host Montevallo Tues.

Game Stats
Morrow, GA --- October 11, 2003 --- Longwood University’s Kelsie Bradberry scored an early first half goal and that’s all the Lancers needed Saturday, enroute to a 3-0 victory in women’s soccer action over Clayton College & State University at Laker Field in Morrow, GA.  

A freshman midfielder from Richmond, VA, Bradberry’s shot from seven yards out and along the end line ricocheted off sophomore keeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria) into the net at the 10-minute mark of the first half.  

The Lakers held Longwood scoreless for the next 62 minutes before freshman forward Tiffany Crane (Virginia Beach, VA) corralled a deflection off keeper Chime and pocketed it into the net from three yards out, giving the Lancers a 2-0 lead. Longwood added a little insurance 11 minutes later as junior forward Christine Clay (Amelia, VA) scored on an athletic shot over Chime from eight yards.  

The Lancers controlled much of the match and took 28 shots compared to only six for Clayton State. Chime finished the match with 12 saves, including a stop on a penalty kick in the first five minutes of the match. Longwood junior keeper Lindsay Naill (Alexandria, VA) finished with four saves.  

With the loss, the Lakers drop to 0-9-1, while Longwood improves to 7-3-1. The Lakers will return to action on Tuesday in another non-conference match, hosting Montevallo at 4 p.m.  Longwood will return to action on Sunday playing at Kennesaw State.   

##CCSU##

Clayton State women’s soccer falls 1-0 to Lander Sat. 

Game Stats
Greenwood, SC --- October 4, 2003 --- The Lander women's soccer team snapped a four-game losing streak Saturday defeating the Clayton College & State University Lakers 1-0 in Peach Belt Conference action in Greenwood, SC. 

Lander's Christi Wade scored the game's lone goal at the 49:57 mark on an assist from Elise Goldy. 

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 0-8-1 on the season and 0-3 in PBC play, while Lander improves to 4-4 overall and 1-2 in the conference.  

The Lady Bearcats outshot Clayton State, 20-5, and led in corner kicks, 4-1. Lander goalkeeper Katherine Duncan, who recorded her second shutout of the season, had three saves, while sophomore CCSU goalie Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria) totaled 10.

 Clayton State will return to action on Saturday, October 11, hosting Longwood in a 4:30 p.m. match. The Lakers’ match scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, has been moved to Thursday, October 23.   

##CCSU##

USC Spartanburg topples Clayton State 3-0 in women's soccer action Saturday 

Game Stats
MORROW, GA --- September 27, 2003 --- Two quick goals in a 26-second span in the first half was enough to lift the University of South Carolina Spartanburg to a 3-0 victory over the Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team in Peach Belt Conference action Saturday at Laker Field.  

USCS struck early in the match with a shot by junior forward Venice Williams (Burlington, New Jersey) that was deflected off Clayton State's sophomore goalkeeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigera).  The Rifles scored twenty-six seconds later with a shot by sophomore midfielder Terra Goswick (Edgewater, Maryland) off a cross from sophomore midfielder Faiza Boujaafar (Rotterdam, Holland).  

USC-Spartanburg kept the pressure on the Lakers throughout match with 37 shots 26 of which were in the first half compared to four total shots for Clayton State.  Chime recorded 18 saves and USC goalkeepers Diana Wabnitz (Largo, Florida) and Lindsay Allen (Amherst, New Hampshire) had one save each. 

Junior midfielder Cayce Wampole (Greer, South Carolina) scored the final goal for the Rifles on a direct kick from 22 yards out.

 The Lakers drop to 0-6-1 overall and 0-2 in the Peach Belt Conference, while the Rifles improve to 6-2-1 and 2-0 in the conference. Clayton State will return to action on Saturday, October 4, traveling to face PBC opponent Lander University in a 1 p.m. match. 

 ##CCSU##

Clayton State women’s soccer falls 3-0 to Thomas Wed.; to face USC Spartanburg Sat.  

Game Stats
THOMASVILLE, GA --- September 24, 2003 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team dropped its sixth match of the season Wednesday, falling to non-conference opponent Thomas University 3-0 in Thomasville, GA. 

Senior forward Laura Sullivan (Tallahassee, FL) got the Nighthawks on the scoreboard in the 16^th minute of the match for the game-winner off an assist from junior midfielder Jackie Rex (St. Marys, GA). 

Leading 1-0 at intermission, Thomas received a little help early in the second half from Clayton State for its second goal, as the Nighthawks took a 2-0 lead at the 59-minute mark on an “own goal.” Senior forward Emer McAuley (Stamullen, Iceland) added some insurance for Thomas at the 69-minute mark with a goal off an assist from sophomore forward Susan Maxwell (Milngavie, Scotland). 

The Nighthawks controlled much of the match taking 22 shots compared to only one for the Lakers. Sophomore keeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria) finished with 12 saves. 

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 0-6-1 overall, while Thomas improves to 7-2-1 on the season. Clayton State will return to Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday, September 27, hosting the University of South Carolina Spartanburg in a 3:30 p.m. match. 

Clayton State women's soccer falls 1-0 to 
North Florida on penalty kick 

Game Stats
MORROW, GA --- September 20, 2003 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team battled hard, but in the end, dropped its fifth match of the season Saturday, falling 1-0 on a penalty kick to the University of North Florida at Laker Field. 

Senior defender Shauna Kruger (Warr Acres, OK) converted the penalty kick at the 26-minute mark, drilling a shot in the lower left of the goal past sophomore keeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria). The penalty kick was awarded to the Ospreys after a foul in the Clayton State box.

 North Florida controlled most of the match with 24 shots, compared to only one shot for the Lakers. Clayton State was short-handed in the match due to several injuries and had only one substitute.

 Keeper Chime finished the match with nine saves, while junior North Florida keeper Haley Epsteen (Sherwood, OK) recorded the shutout.

 With the loss, the Lakers fall to 0-5-1 overall and 0-1 in the Peach Belt Conference, while North Florida improves to 3-2-1 and 1-0 in the league. Clayton State will return to action on Wednesday, September 24, traveling to face Thomas University in a 5 p.m. match. North Florida will return to action on Tuesday at Eckerd. 

##CCSU##

Clayton State battles North Georgia to a scoreless
tie in women’s soccer action Wednesday 

Dana Harvey, Clayton State Sports Information 
Game Stats
MORROW, GA --- September 17, 2003 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team played a tough, defensive double overtime game against North Georgia College & State University and battled to a scoreless tie Wednesday at Laker Field.

 The Lakers best chance to score came late in the second overtime period with a break away shot by freshman defender Kiera Morris (Fayetteville, GA) that sailed over the goal.

 Goalkeeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria) had 10 saves in the match for Clayton State and recorded her first shutout of the season. Junior midfielder Florence Okpala (Akpo, Nigeria) had six shots in the match to lead the squad.  

 North Georgia controlled most of the match with 21 shots, compared to 11 shots for Clayton State. Sophomore forward Jessica Williams (Flowery Branch, GA) had seven shots and senior forward Tigh MacDonald (Marietta, GA) had three shots on goal for the Saints.  Junior goalkeeper Cory Orear (Dahlonega, GA) had five saves in the match.

 With the tie, the Lakers are 0-4-1 on the season, while North Georgia is 0-3-2. Clayton State will return to action on Saturday, September 20, hosting Peach Belt Conference opponent North Florida in a 3 p.m. match. 

  ##CCSU## 

Clayton State falls 2-0 to North Alabama in women’s soccer action Saturday

 Game Stats
FLORENCE, AL --- September 13, 2003 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team dropped its fourth match of the season Saturday, falling 2-0 to non-conference opponent the University of North Alabama.

 The Lions scored two first half goals and held on in the second half for the victory. Freshman forward Rhiannon Harrison got UNA on the scoreboard in the first 10 minutes of the match, followed by junior midfielder Breanna Smith tacking on another goal midway through the half.

 With the loss, the Lakers drop to 0-4 on the season, while North Alabama improves to 4-2. Clayton State will return to action on Wednesday, September 17, hosting North Georgia College & State University in a 3 p.m. match.   

##CCSU##

Carson-Newman blanks Clayton State 5-0 in
women’s soccer action Wednesday

Game Stats
JEFFERSON CITY, TN --- September 10, 2003 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team dropped its third match of the season Wednesday, falling 5-0 to non-conference opponent Carson-Newman College. 

The Lady Eagle scoring tandem of Rebecca Angus (Middlesborough, England) and Liz Jallo (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) provided the offensive firepower, combining for three and two goals, respectively, to power C-N to victory.  

Jallo scored the first goal of the match off an assist by Melanie Waters (Easley, S.C.) in the 13^th minute. Her second goal came in the 18^th minute when she shot past Clayton State’s diving keeper Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria).

 Angus’ first goal came in the 21^st minute when she scored on a redirect. Jallo connected with Angus for the second goal in the 62^nd minute and the final goal came in the 67^th minute when Angus scored on a breakaway.  

Carson-Newman finished with 37 shots for the match compared to seven for the Lakers. Chime posted double-digit saves for the third straight match with 14 in the game.

 With the loss, the Lakers fall to 0-3 on the season, while Carson-Newman improves to 3-1-1. Clayton State will return to action on Saturday, September 13, traveling to play the University of North Alabama in a 2 p.m. match. The Lakers next home match will be Tuesday, September 17, hosting North Georgia College & State University in a 3 p.m. game.

##CCSU## 

Clayton State women’s soccer falls 2-0
to Alabama-Huntsville on Wednesday

Game Stats
Morrow, GA --- September 3, 2003 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team dropped its second match of the season Wednesday, falling 2-0 to non-conference opponent the University of Alabama-Huntsville at Laker Field. 

After a scoreless first half, the UAH Chargers broke the scoring drought five minutes into the second half as forward Lindsey Schemenaur drilled a shot past the outstretched arms of Clayton State keeper Judith Chime. The shot from inside the box was set-up off a pass from midfielder Katie Simpson. 

UAH midfielder Tammy Wissell provided the Chargers some insurance late in the contest scoring a goal in the 85^th minute of the contest. She pocketed the goal in the upper left of the goal from five yards out, off a cross from midfielder Abby Jones. 

Clayton State’s best scoring threat came early in the second half on a shot by freshman Kiera Morris (Fayetteville, GA) that sailed high. UAH controlled much of the match taking 32 shots, compared to only four the Lakers. 

Laker keeper Chime once again shined in goal, setting a new school record with 20 saves in the match. She tied a school record on Monday with 15 saves against Tusculum. Charger keeper Sarah Sollie had one save and was credited with the shutout.

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 0-2 on the season and will return to action on Wednesday, September 10, traveling to play Carson-Newman in a 5 p.m. match. UAH improves to 1-1 on the year and will next play at Saint Leo on Friday, September 12.

##CCSU##

Clayton State women’s soccer falls 4-1
to Tusculum in season opener Monday

 Game Stats
Morrow, GA --- September 1, 2003 --- With three goals in the first 13 minutes of play, the Tusculum Pioneers downed the Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team 4-1 Monday at Laker Field on the campus of Clayton State.

 Tusculum struck early in the match as freshman forward Becky Carreiro scored one of her three goals on an unassisted play three minutes into the match. The Pioneers pushed their lead to 2-0 at the nine-minute mark as senior midfielder Elaine Green scored off an assist from sophomore defender Theresa Christie.

 Carreiro came back with her second goal of the match three minutes later, giving the Pioneers a commanding 3-0 lead with more than 30 minutes remaining in the first half. Carreiro pocketed the goal off an assist from senior forward Rachel Barron.

 Clayton State answered at the 36-minute mark of play as junior forward Florence Okpala scored, drilling a 15-yard shot in the upper left portion of the goal. She scored the Lakers’ lone goal of the match off an assist from sophomore forward Ngozi Ezeocha.

 In the second half, Tusculum added one more insurance goal as Carreiro scored her third goal of the match off an assist from freshman defender Ashley Moreira 55 minutes into the match.

The Pioneers controlled much of the play, outshooting Clayton State 33-7. Clayton State sophomore keeper Judith Chime tied a school record with 15 saves in the match, while Tusculum sophomore goalkeeper Alyssa Alterman finished with four saves.

 With the loss, the Lakers fall to 0-1 on the season and will return to action on Wednesday, September 3, hosting the University of Alabama-Huntsville in a 4 p.m. match. Tusculum returns to action on Saturday, September 6, facing Northern Kentucky University in a 2 p.m. match.

 ##CCSU## 

Clayton State women’s soccer defeats
GC&SU 3-0 in exhibition match Fri.

Milledgeville, GA --- August 31, 2003 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team knocked off Georgia College & State University 3-0 Friday in an exhibition match and is now ready to kick off its regular season on Labor Day.

The Lakers will host Tusculum College on Monday, September 1, at Laker Field with a 4 p.m. kickoff.

In Friday’s exhibition match, Clayton State scored all three of its goals in the first half, led by junior Florence Okpala (Akpo, Nigeria) with two goals. She scored her first goal in the fifth minute on a breakaway following a block at midfield.

 Sophomore Ngozi Ezeocha (Lagos, Nigeria) put the Lakers up 2-0 with a goal in the 28th minute, while Okpala tallied her second goal less than five minutes later to put the Lakers ahead 3-0 at intermission.

In Monday’s season opener, Clayton State will have a formidable challenge in Tusculum, who has won three straight South Atlantic Conference championships. The Pioneers defeated Clayton State 1-0 last season and finished the year with a 13-7 record.

After Monday’s match the Lakers will return to the field on Wednesday, hosting the University of Alabama Huntsville in a 4 p.m. match.

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Clayton State women’s soccer to kick off 2003 season Monday, hosting Tusculum

MORROW, GA --- August 29, 2003 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team will be “hard at work” on Labor Day, kicking off its 2003 season on Monday, September 1 at Laker Field.

Clayton State will have a formidable challenge in its season-opener, hosting Tusculum, who has won three straight South Atlantic Conference championships, in a 4 p.m. match. The Pioneers defeated Clayton State 1-0 last season and finished the year with a 13-7 record.

The Lakers are eager to kick off the 2003 season after last year’s strong finish, as the squad placed second in the 2002 Peach Belt Conference Tournament and third in the regular season standings with an 11-4-4 overall record. Head coach T.O. Totty has led the program to 22 wins in the last two years compared to 20 victories in the first six years of the program combined.

Clayton State returns five starters from last year’s PBC Tournament runner-up team, including one of its top offensive players in Florence Okpala (Akpo, Nigeria) and its top defensive players in Zulynette Olivo (Ellenwood, GA) and Judith Chime (Enugu, Nigeria). Three-year starters Jill Kowalczyk (Conyers, GA) and Jocelyn Okoro (Stone Mountain, GA) will also provide leadership to the club, as they enter their final seasons.

Okpala returns for her junior season after scoring 12 goals last year, second best on the Clayton State squad and fifth in the PBC. She had five multi-goal games in 2002 and was named Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week on one occasion. 

Chime, CCSU’s first-ever freshman to be named to the All-Conference squad, shattered the school's single-season goals against average with a .64 GAA last season. She finished the season ranked 15th in the nation in GAA, playing 1,815 of 1,817 minutes in goal for the Lakers. She allowed only 13 goals on the year and finished with 98 saves on the year, averaging over five per match.

Olivo, one of the team’s most athletic players, returns for her senior season after starting 47 matches during her three-year career. She was named to the 2001 Peach Belt All-Tournament team. Kowalczyk and Okoro have combined to play in 105 games in their CCSU careers.

The Lakers top newcomer among eight new faces on the squad will be sophomore Ngozi Ezeocha from Lagos, Nigeria. She was a starter on Young Harris’ 2002 team that finished fourth in the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament with a 19-4-4 record. She finished the season in the top ten in scoring in the nation with over 30 goals and almost 15 assists.

The Lakers had several firsts in 2002, defeating two nationally-ranked teams in Francis Marion and North Florida and breaking into the region rankings for the first time. CCSU will try to build on that success in 2003 with nine returning lettermen.   

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MORROW, GA --- August 20, 2003 --- Coming off its most successful season ever, the Clayton College & State University women's soccer team has been picked to finish fourth out of eight teams in the Peach Belt Conference in 2003.

Defending PBC champion Kennesaw State was picked to the win league in the poll of the conference’s coaches, followed by North Florida and Francis Marion. Behind Clayton State, USC Spartanburg was picked fifth, followed by USC Aiken, Lander and UNC Pembroke.

Fans will get their first chance to see the Lakers in regular season action on Monday, September 1, hosting Tusculum in a 4 p.m. match. Clayton State will travel to play GC&SU in an exhibition match on Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m.

Clayton State returns six starters from last year’s PBC Tournament runner-up team, including its top offensive players in Nkiru Okosieme and Florence Okpala and its top defensive players in Zulynette Olivo and Judith Chime.

Okosieme, who has represented her native land of Nigeria in three World Cups, returns for her senior season after scoring 47 goals in the last two years. Despite nagging injuries last season, Okosieme, a two-time All-Region selection, led the Lakers with 14 goals and eight assists. 

One of Division II's most skillful players, Okosieme was the nation's second leading scorer in 2001 with 33 goals on the season. She has 16 multi-goal games in her two-year career and is the Peach Belt Conference record holder in goals scored.

Chime, CCSU’s first-ever freshman to be named to the All-Conference squad, shattered the school's single-season goals against average with a .64 GAA last season. She finished the season ranked 15th 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.

Okpala returns for her junior season after scoring 12 goals last year, second best on the Clayton State squad. She had five multi-goal games in 2002 and was named Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week on one occasion. 

Olivo, one of the team’s most athletic players, returns for her senior season after starting 47 matches during her three-year career. She was named to the 2001 Peach Belt All-Tournament team. 

The Lakers had several firsts in 2002, defeating two nationally-ranked teams in Francis Marion and North Florida and breaking into the region rankings for the first time. CCSU will try to build on that success in 2003 with 10 returnees and seven newcomers to the program.  

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