Okosieme and Yusuf named to
NSCAA Women’s Soccer All-Americas

 Morrow, GA — December 10, 2004 – The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer duo of Nkiru Okosieme and Olaitan Yusuf were selected Friday to NCAA Division II All-America team. 

Okosieme and Yusuf received the honor from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and become the first All-Americas in the 10-year history of the women’s soccer program. Yusuf was named a second-team All-America as freshman, while Okosieme was named a third-team All-America as a senior. 

Earlier this month, Okosieme and Yusuf were named to the NSCAA All-Southeast Region squad. In addition, Okosieme was named the  Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year, the first time a Clayton State women’s soccer player has received the award, while Yusuf was named the Freshman of the Year, also a first for the program. 

Yusuf, from Ilborin, Nigeria, led the nation in scoring with 35 goals on the season, breaking the PBC single season record. She also led the country in points per game at 3.70 per contest. She had multiple goals in 11 matches this season, including a school record five goals against the University of South Carolina Aiken. She was named PBC Player of the Week twice this season. 

Okosieme, from Onitsha, Nigeria, is the all-time leading scorer in the Peach Belt Conference with 64 goals in three seasons of play. She is a three-time NCAA All-Southeast Region performer, a three-time All-PBC player and a three-time All-PBC Tournament player. Nkiru finished the season ranked among the nation’s leaders in points per game and in goals scored with 17 goals and 10 assists on the season. 

 The  nation’s second leading scorer in 2001, she set a PBC single season record with 33 goals, which was later broken this year by teammate Yusuf. Okosieme received the 2002 Lady Laker Award given to top female athlete in Clayton State program based on athletic and academic achievement. A two-time Peach Belt Presidential Honor Roll recipient, she had 22 multi-goal games out of 55 games in her career. She played in the 2003 World Cup for her native land of Nigeria, her fourth World Cup competition. 

The Clayton State duo led the Lakers to a school best 13-6-1 record, the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Division II National Soccer Championships and to a runner-up finish in the 2004 Peach Belt Conference Tournament. 

##CCSU##

Okosieme, Yusuf and Chime named to
NSCAA All-Southeast Region team

 Morrow, GA — December 6, 2004 – The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team is coming off its best season in school history, and a trio of players from the squad have been recognized for their superb play. 

Clayton State’s Nkiru Okosieme, Olaitan Yusuf and Judith Chime were all named to the first-team 2004 National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Southeast Region squad, marking the first time the Lakers have had more than one player receive the honor in a season. With all three players being named to the first team, they become eligible for All-America honors to be released later in the year. 

The Clayton State trio led the Lakers to a school best 13-6-1 record, the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Division II National Soccer Championships and to a runner-up finish in the 2004 Peach Belt Conference Tournament. In addition, Okosieme was named the league’s Player of the Year, the first time a Clayton State women’s soccer player has received the award, while Yusuf was named the Freshman of the Year, also a first for the program. Chime was named to the All-Conference team for the third straight season from her keeper position. 

Okosieme, a senior from Onitsha, Nigeria, is the all-time leading scorer in the Peach Belt Conference with 64 goals in three seasons of play. She is a three-time NCAA All-Southeast Region performer, a three-time All-PBC player and a three-time All-PBC Tournament player. Nkiru finished the season ranked among the nation’s leaders in points per game and in goals scored with 17 goals and 10 assists on the season. 

 The  nation’s second leading scorer in 2001, she set a PBC single season record with 33 goals, which was later broken this year by teammate Yusuf. Okosieme received the 2002 Lady Laker Award given to top female athlete in Clayton State program based on athletic and academic achievement. A two-time Peach Belt Presidential Honor Roll recipient, she had 22 multi-goal games out of 55 games in her career. She played in the 2003 World Cup for her native land of Nigeria, her fourth World Cup competition. 

Yusuf, a freshman from Ilborin, Nigeria, led the nation in scoring with 35 goals on the season, breaking the PBC single season record. She also led the country in points per game at 3.70 per contest. She had multiple goals in 11 matches this season, including a school record five goals against the University of South Carolina Aiken. She was named PBC Player of the Week twice this season. 

Chime, from Enugu, Nigeria, was named to the All-Region team for the first time and is Clayton State’s all-time leader in goals against average. She set the single season goals against average in 2002 at .64, which ranked 15^th in the nation and was third in the country in saves in 2003. Chime had a 1.28 goals against average in over 1752 minutes this season. 

##CCSU##

Clayton State women’s soccer falls to #7
Carson-Newman 3-2 in NCAA Southeast Regional 

JEFFERSON CITY, TN – The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer season came to an end Friday in the first round of the NCAA Division II Southeast Region Soccer Tournament, falling 3-2 to top seed and host Carson-Newman College. 

Rebecca Angus (Middlesborough, England) scored two goals and added an assist to help power the Lady Eagles to the win over Clayton State. The loss ends Clayton State’s season with a school-best 13-6-1 record on the season. Carson-Newman ranked seventh in the nation improves to 17-2-2.   

The Lady Eagles’ first goal came in the 10^th minute of the match when Claire Ramsdale (Birmingham, England) scored off an assist by Angus. The Lakers tied the score in the 32^nd minute when Olaitan Yusuf (Ilorin, Nigeria) scored on a corner kick by Jennifer Winslett (Douglasville, Ga.). The goal broke a school and Peach Belt Conference, giving Yusuf 34 goals on the season. 

Angus scored the next two goals to give a C-N a 3-1 lead. Yusuf, the nation’s leading scorer, pulled the Lakers to within one goal in the 86th minute with an unassisted goal, but the Lady Eagles held on for the 3-2 win. 

Okosieme named Peach Belt Women’s Soccer Player of Year; Yusuf named Freshman of the Year 

Morrow, GA — November 10, 2004 – The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team received good news earlier this week, earning a spot in the 2004 NCAA Division II National Soccer Championships, and a big reason for the team’s success this season has been the effort of a trio of players that were named to the Peach Belt All-Conference team. 

Clayton State’s Nkiru Okosieme, Olaitan Yusuf and Judith Chime were all named to the Peach Belt All-Conference team for the 2004 season. Okosieme was named the league’s Player of the Year, the first time a Clayton State women’s soccer player has received the award, while Yusuf was named the Freshman of the Year, also a first for the program. Chime was named to the All-Conference team for the third straight season from her keeper position. 

Okosieme, a senior from Onitsha, Nigeria, is the all-time leading scorer in the Peach Belt Conference with 64 goals in less than three seasons of play. She is a two-time NCAA All-Southeast Region performer, a three-time All-PBC player and a three-time All-PBC Tournament player. Nkiru currently ranks 16^th in the nation in points per game and 21^st in the country in goals scored with 17 goals and 10 assists on the season. 

 The  nation’s second leading scorer in 2001, she set a PBC single season record with 33 goals. Okosieme received the 2002 Lady Laker Award given to top female athlete in Clayton State program based on athletic and academic achievement. A two-time Peach Belt Presidential Honor Roll recipient, she has 22 multi-goal games out of 55 games in her career. She played in the 2003 World Cup for her native land of Nigeria, her fourth World Cup competition. 

Yusuf, a freshman from Ilorin, Nigeria, leads the nation in scoring with 33 goals on the season and with one more goal will break Okosieme’s school and Peach Belt single season record. She has multiple goals in 10 matches this season, including a school record five goals against the University of South Carolina Aiken. She was named PBC Player of the Week twice this season. 

Chime, from Enugu, Nigeria, earns her third straight All-Conference honor. Judith is Clayton State’s all-time leader in goals against average. She set the single season goals against average in 2002 at .64, which ranked 15^th in the nation and was third in the country in saves last year. Chime has a 1.19 goals against average in over 1665 minutes this season. 

In addition to being named to the All-Conference teams, Okosieme, Yusuf and Chime were named to the PBC All-Tournament team after the squad advanced to the PBC Tournament finals Sunday before falling to the University of North Florida 2-1 in double overtime. 

The Clayton State women’s team received its first bid to the NCAA national tournament on Monday. The squad will play in the Southeast Regional hosted by South Atlantic Conference’s Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN. Clayton State will face Carson-Newman in the first round of the tournament at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, while North Florida and Catawba College will meet in the other semifinal match at noon. The semifinal winners will meet on Sunday, November 14^th in the regional championship at 1:30 p.m.   

##CCSU##

Clayton State men’s and women’s soccer teams receive bid to national tournament 

Morrow, GA — November 8, 2004 — Both the Clayton College & State University men’s and women’s soccer teams received news late Monday evening that they will be headed to the “Big Dance.”  

The “Big Dance” is the NCAA Division II National Soccer Championships, and both Clayton State soccer teams have received bids to the national tournament, the invitation for the men’s team will be the third appearance in the national tournament, while the bid for the women’s squad will be the program’s first.  

Peach Belt Conference champion the University of North Carolina Pembroke will host the men’s NCAA Division II Southeast Regional on Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 11-13. The third team in the regional will be Queens University. Clayton State will face Queens in the first round match on Thursday at 7 p.m. with winner of Thursday’s match meeting UNCP in the regional final on Saturday at 7 p.m.  

The women’s Southeast Regional will be hosted by South Atlantic Conference’s Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN. Clayton State will face Carson-Newman in the first round of the tournament at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, while the University of North Florida and Catawba College will meet in the other semifinal match at noon. The semifinal winners will meet on Sunday, November 14^th in the regional championship at 1:30 p.m.   

Both the men’s and women’s regional winners will advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship quarterfinals on Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 20-21.  

The 20^th-ranked Laker men’s team is coming off a 2-0 loss in the Peach Belt Conference semifinals to the University of South Carolina Upstate. The Lakers have a 12-3-3 record on the season and defeated Queens 2-1 in the second match of the regular season. Senior Richard Morton had the game-winner in the 64^th minute.  

The Lakers last played in the NCAA Division II tournament in the 2001 season, falling to Lander University 2-1 in overtime in the first round. Clayton State tied Francis Marion University in its only other appearance in the national tournament in 2000 in an epic four-overtime match. The Patriots advanced to the second round on penalty kicks 5-3.  

The Clayton State women’s appearance in the national tournament will be a first for the program. The Lakers are enjoying a program-best 13-5-1 record and coming off a 2-1 double overtime loss in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championships to North Florida. PBC Freshman of Year Olaitan Yusuf and PBC Player of the Year Nkiru Okosieme have led the Laker attack this season. Yusuf, the nation’s leading scorer, currently has 33 goals on the season, tying the school and PBC record set by Okosieme in 2001.  

###CCSU###

Clayton State women’s soccer drops heartbreaker in 
Peach Belt Tournament Championship match 

Florence, SC— November 7, 2004 – The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team came close, but in the end lost a heartbreaker, falling 2-1 in double overtime to the University of North Florida in the finals of the 2004 Peach Belt Conference Tournament. 

North Florida scored the game winner with less than five minutes remaining in the second overtime. If Clayton State could have held on for the final five minutes, the match would have been decided in a shootout. North Florida’s Ali Blochl scored the game winner from 20 yards out after the Lakers were unable to clear a previous shot. 

With the loss, the Laker season comes to an end with a school best 13-5-1 record. North Florida improves to 13-4-1 with the win and awaits a bid to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. The loss in the PBC Tournament finals is the second time in three years that the Lakers have fallen in the PBC Tournament Championship match. The Lakers lost 1-0 to Kennesaw State in the 2002 finals. 

Clayton State jumped out to a 1-0 lead five minutes in the match as freshman sensation Olaitan Yusuf tied the school and Peach Belt Conference record with her 33^rd goal of the season. The score came off a corner kick from freshman Jennifer Winslett. The assist was Winslett’s PBC leading 12^th of the season. 

Yusuf, the nation’s leading scorer, tied the Peach Belt Conference record of teammate Nkiru Okosieme, who scored 33 goals in the 2001 season and was the nation’s second leading scorer. Yusuf was named the PBC Freshman of the Year Saturday, while Okosieme was named the league’s Player of the Year. 

UNF answered 15 minutes later to knot the score at 1-1 as Cari Chiscon scored her first goal of the season off an assist from Judith Claessens. The match remained tied for the 85 minutes until Rodgers’ game-winning goal in double overtime. 

Clayton State women’s soccer advances to PBC Tournament finals with 3-2 win over Francis Marion Saturday 

Florence, SC— November 6, 2004 – The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team is one win away from, capturing the 2004 Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship. 

Clayton State advanced to the Peach Belt Tournament Championship finals on Sunday, defeating regular season champion Francis Marion 3-2 on Saturday in the tournament semifinals tournament at FMU. The scoring tandem of Nkiru Okosieme and Olaitan Yusuf struck again for the Lakers scoring all three goals. Okosieme had two goals, while Yusuf had one goal in the win. 

Francis Marion raced out to an early lead, scoring in the first 11 minutes of the match. Katie Roberts scored her 12 goal of the season off a pass from Keri Barton giving the Lady Patriots a 1-0 lead. 

Okosieme answered with two straight goals late in the half to claim the lead for Clayton State. Her first goal came in the 39^th minute on an unassisted play, while the second goal came with only 25 seconds remaining in the half on a penalty kick. 

In the second half, Clayton State extended its lead to 3-1 in the 80^th minute, as Yusuf, the nation’s leading scorer, added to her total with 32^nd goal of the season. Her score was setup on a pass from Okosieme. 

FMU cut the deficit to a single goal late in the match with five minutes remaining on a Riley’s second goal of the match but could come no closer. The score came off an assist from Ashley Fortune. 

With the win, the Lakers advance to PBC Tournament finals and will play the winner of the other semifinal match between third seeded the University of North Florida and second seeded the University of South Carolina Upstate. The finals at FMU will kick off at 2 p.m. on Sunday. 

Clayton State finished Saturday’s with 11 shots and five corner kicks compared to 13 shots and seven corners for the Patriots. Laker keeper Judith Chime finished with five saves, while FMU goalie Jackie Bateman had two. 

Okosieme named to 2004 women’s 
soccer Academic All-District team 

Morrow, GA— November 5, 2004 – Clayton College & State University women’s soccer player Nkiru Okosieme was named Thursday to the 2004 Women’s Soccer Academic All-District team in the college division. 

Okosieme, a three-year letterwinner and one of the school’s most decorated student-athletes, has a 3.7 grade point average in information technology. By being named to the first team All-District team, she has an opportunity to be named to the Academic All-America team later this year. 

To qualify for Academic All-District or All-America honors, a student-athlete must have completed one year at his or her respective school, maintain at least a 3.2 grade point average and be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials. Okosieme was chosen as one of 11 first team players from District III, which consists of all non-Division I schools in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. 

From Onitsha, Nigeria, Nkiru is the all-time leading scorer in the Peach Belt Conference with 62 goals in less than three seasons of play. She currently ranks 17^th in the nation in points per game and 18^th in the country in goals scored. 

Okosieme was the nation’s second leading scorer in 2001 with a PBC single season record 33 goals. She is a two-time NCAA Division II All-South Region performer, a two-time All-PBC player and a two-time All-PBC Tournament player. In addition, she received the 2002 Lady Laker Award given to top female athlete in Clayton State program based on athletic and academic achievement. 

Okosieme has 15 goals this season and nine assists. She has 21 multi-goal games out of 53 games in her career. Nkiru has played in four World Cup competitions for her native land of Nigeria, including the 2003 Cup. 

Clayton State blanks UNC Pembroke 4-0 in 1^st round of PBC Tournament; Yusuf scores three in victory 

Morrow, GA --- November 3, 2004 --- Clayton College & State University freshman sensation Olaitan Yusuf, the nation’s leading scorer, added to her total Wednesday with a three goals to lead the Laker women to a 4-0 victory over the University of North Carolina Pembroke in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.  

Clayton State raced out to an early lead, as Yusuf scored eight minutes into the match on an unassisted play. She carried the ball 30 yards, beating several defenders and the keeper with a shot in the lower left of the net.  

Senior Nkiru Okosieme gave the Lakers a 2-0 lead in the 25^th minute, heading a shot past UNCP keeper Kristen Parker. The play was setup on a free kick by freshman Jennifer Winslett. The assist was Winslett’s 11^th on the season, the most of any Peach Belt player.  

Yusuf added her second goal in the opening minutes of the second half, scoring in the 48^th minute off an assist from Okosieme. She took a pass from her fellow Nigerian teammate and beat one defender and the keeper with a shot. Yusuf added her 31^st goal of the season in the 74^th minute off another assist from Okosieme, giving the Lakers some insurance.  

With the win, the Lakers improve to 12-4-2 on the season and will advance to the Peach Belt Conference semifinals on Saturday, facing conference champion Francis Marion University. FMU will host the Final Four of the PBC Tournament on Saturday and Sunday after beating Georgia College & State University 1-0 in double overtime on Wednesday. The winner of Saturday’s match will advance to the PBC Tournament final on Sunday.  

The loss drops UNCP, who defeated Clayton State 2-1 in the regular season, to 12-5-2 on the season.

UNCP finished the match with 12 shots and six corner kicks compared to 10 shots and two corners for the Lakers. Clayton State keeper Judith Chime recorded her fourth shutout of the season with three saves.  

The Lady Braves had a couple of opportunities to score. Jaime Black fired a shot just over the goal in the 38^th minute from 25 yards, while teammate Kelly Jones barely missed on a header with 25 minutes remaining after a corner kick.  

Yusuf’s three goals give her 31 on the season, the most of any player at the NCAA Division II level and two shy of teammate Okosieme’s Peach Belt and school record. She scored 33 goals in 2001.  

UNF downs Clayton State 2-0 in PBC regular season finale; Lakers to host UNCP in PBC 1^st round on Wed. 

JACKSONVILLE, FL --- Oct. 30, 2004 – University of North Florida junior forward Ali Blochl and senior midfielder Diana Hemke teamed up for two scores on Saturday to give the Lady Osprey soccer team a 2-0 victory against Clayton College & State University to end the regular season. 

The Peach Belt Conference loss drops Clayton State to 11-4-1 overall and 4-3-1 in the league. The Lakers finished fourth in the Peach Belt and will open the PBC tournament on Wednesday, hosting the University of North Carolina Pembroke.  UNF improves to 11-4-2 overall, 6-2 in the PBC with the win and finishes third in the league.  

In the victory, North Florida’s defense held leading PBC scorer Olaitan Yusuf to only two shots. Pior to Saturday’s match, the freshman forward had scored 28 goals. 

“We had a plan that we stuck to that made it difficult for her to do the things that she’s used to doing, and it worked very well,” UNF head coach Mike Munch said. “Our whole goal was not to give her any chances, and we really did that.” 

On the offensive side, the Lady Ospreys got on the board five minutes into the match when Hemke got a head on Blochl’s corner kick, sending it past Clayton State keeper Judith Chime into the back of the net. 

Blochl and Hemke combined again about 10 minutes into the second half when Blochl took a free kick from just outside the box, passing the ball to Hemke, who was open on the outside. Hemke blasted a shot through the Lady Lakers’ bunched defense, just past Chime’s reach. 

Yusuf scores two more to lead CCSU to 2-0 victory over GC&SU; Lakers match program best with 11^th win 

Morrow, GA --- October 24, 2004 --- Peach Belt Conference leading scorer Olaitan Yusuf struck again Sunday with two more goals to lead the Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team to a 2-0 conference win over Georgia College & State University at Laker Field.  

Clayton State didn’t waste any time getting on scoreboard Sunday as Yusuf scored four minutes into the match off a corner kick. Sophomore Cassandra Rapaich served a ball in the box and Yusuf drilled the shot past keeper Michelle Parr.   

Yusuf added her second goal of the match and her 28^th of the season off another corner kick, this time from freshman Jennifer Winslett. She headed a ball in the upper right of the net off Winslett’s team-leading 10^th assist of the season.  

With the win, the Lakers improve to 11-3-1 on the year and 4-2-1 in the conference, matching the school record for wins in a season set in 2001 and 2002. Clayton State will return to action on Tuesday, hosting Spelman College in a 3 p.m. match. GC&SU drops to 4-9-2 on the year and 0-5-2 in the league and will return to action on Saturday hosting the University of South Carolina Aiken at 7 p.m. 

Clayton State women’s soccer shocks NCAA D-II 
defending national champion Kennesaw St. 2-1

 Kennesaw, GA — October 23, 2004 —- What do the University of North Carolina, Duke University and Clayton College & State University have in common? They are the only three schools that have defeated Kennesaw State University in women’s soccer in the last two seasons.  

The Clayton State women’s soccer team captured its biggest win in school history Saturday, shocking metro-Atlanta rival Kennesaw State 2-1 Saturday in Kennesaw, GA. KSU is playing a NCAA Division I schedule in women’s soccer this season after winning the 2003 NCAA Division II national championship last season out of Clayton State’s Peach Belt Conference. 

Kennesaw entered the match with an 11-2 record with its only other losses coming at the hands of the nation’s second-ranked team in D-I North Carolina 1-0 and  to a 10^th-ranked Duke squad. KSU had won 17 straight home matches, dating back to 2002.  

Clayton State raced out to an early lead Saturday, as senior Nkiru Okosieme scored off a free kick on a shot that curved in the upper right of the net in the 37^th-minute. The Lakers struck again four minutes later as Peach Belt Conference leading scorer Olaitan Yusuf scored her 26^th goal of the season off a breakaway. Yusuf’s first shot was blocked, but she was able to convert off the deflection.  

Trailing 2-0 in the second half, Kennesaw State cut the deficit to a single goal with a late goal as Rebecca Hall scored from 30 yards out in 78^th minute off an assist from Jenae Gzehoviak. The Lakers held on in the final 12 minutes to pull off the upset.  

With the win, the Lakers improve to 10-3-1 on the year and are one win shy of matching a program best. Clayton will return to action on Sunday, hosting Georgia College & State University for Senior Day in a 3 p.m. match.   

Clayton State forward Yusuf named
Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week

 Morrow, GA --- October 19, 2004 --- Clayton College & State University freshman forward Olaitan Yusuf scored nine goals in only three matches last week and was rewarded Tuesday for her sparkling play, being named the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week.  

Yusuf (Ilorin, Nigeria), the league’s leading scorer with 25 goals on the season, received the honor from the league office for the second time this season.  She was also named the PBC Player of the Week on September 7^th, the first week of the season after scoring six goals.  

Last week, she had four goals in a 4-0 win over Peach Belt Conference opponent Lander University, two goals in a 2-1 overtime victory over PBC foe Columbus State University and three goals and two assists in a 9-2 win over the University of North Alabama.  

Her Peach Belt leading 25 goals is on pace to challenge the PBC single season record of 33 goals set by teammate Nkiru Okosieme in 2001.  She has scored 14 goals in her last four matches, averaging over three per match.  

Okosieme and Yusuf combine for seven goals; Laker women cruise to 9-2 victory over North Alabama  

Morrow, GA --- October 17, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University tandem of Nkiru Okosieme and Olaitan Yusuf exploded for seven goals and four assists Sunday, as the Laker women’s soccer team cruised to a 9-2 victory over the University of North Alabama at Laker Field.  

Okosieme, a senior, finished the match with four goals and two assists, while Yusuf, a freshman, scored three goals and had two assists. Okosieme’s 10 points in the match tied a school record set earlier this season when Yusuf scored five goals against the University of South Carolina Aiken. Yusuf’s three goals give her a Peach Belt Conference leading 25 on the season.  

With the win, the Lakers improve to 9-3-1 on the season, while North Alabama drops to 8-6-1 on the year. Clayton State will return to action on Saturday, traveling to face metro-Atlanta rival and defending NCAA Division II champion Kennesaw State University. The Owls are no longer in the Peach Belt in women’s soccer, moving up to NCAA Division I in women’s soccer this fall.  

In Sunday’s match, the Lakers struck early and often with Clayton State junior Tiffany Bales, starting the scoring frenzy at the 10-minute mark off an assist from Okosieme. Bales scored on a shot from seven yards out in the lower left of the net.  

Clayton State increased its lead to 3-0 in the next eight minutes as Okosieme scored two quick goals. Her first goal came at the 13-minute mark off a pass from junior Florence Okpala. Okosieme beat two defenders and hit a shot in the upper right of the goal. Her second goal came five minutes later, scoring off an assist from Bales in the upper right of the net.  

North Alabama cut the deficit to 3-1 just before intermission with Alison Woodman scoring on a shot from 20 yards out, just past the outstretched arms of Laker junior keeper Judith Chime. The play was set-up off a pass from Emily Cotham.  

In the second half, Okosieme scored her third goal of the match at the 54-minute mark off an assist from Yusuf. Her shot was set-up off a keeper deflection. Yusuf gave the Lakers a 5-1 lead six minutes later, scoring on an unassisted play, beating two defenders and the keeper for a goal.  

Okosieme came back with her fourth goal of the match at the 73-minute mark off a cross from Yusuf, giving the Lakers a 6-1 lead. Yusuf added two straight goals in the 79^th and 83^rd minute to increase the Clayton State lead to 8-1. Her first goal came on a double assist from Okosieme and sophomore Cassandra Rapaich, while her next goal came on a header off a corner from freshman Jennifer Winslett.  

North Alabama’s Woodman cut the deficit to 8-2 in the 84^th minute with her second goal of the match off an assist from Juli Garavaglia. Clayton State senior Jill Kowalczyk added the final Laker goal, off an assist from Winslett. The goal came was set-up off a keeper deflection.  

Yusuf goal in overtime lifts Clayton State women to 2-1 PBC victory Saturday over Columbus State 

Columbus, GA --- October 16, 2004 --- With 68 seconds remaining in the first overtime, Clayton College & State University freshman sensation Olaitan Yusuf scored a goal to lift the Laker women’s soccer team to a 2-1 Peach Belt Conference victory Saturday over Columbus State University.  

Yusuf picked up a loose ball and streaked ahead of the Columbus State defenders in overtime and slid a shot past a diving Columbus State keeper Megan Robey. It was Yusuf's second goal of the game and pushed Clayton State to 8-3-1 on the season and 3-2-1 in the PBC. CSU falls to 2-6-4 overall and 0-3-2 in the PBC. 

Yusuf’s two scores in the match give her a Peach Belt Conference leading 22 goals on the season. She has scored 11 goals in her last three conference matches. Clayton State will return to action on Sunday, hosting non-conference the University of North Alabama in a 5 p.m. match.  

The Lady Cougars got on the board first just over five minutes into play. Brook Snyder made a centering pass just in front of the Laker goal that Amy Summerlin headed past goalkeeper Judith Chime to put CSU up 1-0. The Lady Cougars would keep the pressure on for the rest of the half and would out-shoot the visitors 8-6 to take the 1-0 cushion into the half. 

Clayton State turned up the offensive pressure a bit in the second period, out-shooting CSU 11-7 in the period. Robey and the CSU defense were able to hold them out until Yusuf tallied in the 67th minute. Following a CSU foul, Yusuf was able to get a foot on a deflected high-bouncing pass between three defenders. The ball got past Robey and two teammates, just finding the right corner of the net to tie the game at one. 

Clayton State had two early shots in the overtime period, both by Yusuf , one of which sailed wide and the other was smothered by Robey on a nice save. CSU got a corner kick opportunity in the 97th minute and Hannah Ospina was able to get off a good shot, but the height of Chime resulted in a save. Immediately following that exchange, Yusuf picked up a loose ball just past midfield and raced in for the game-winner with 1:08 left in the first overtime period. 

Clayton State freshman sensation Yusuf strikes
for four goals in 4-0 Peach Belt win over Lander 

Morrow, GA --- October 13, 2004 --- Clayton College & State University women’s soccer freshman sensation Olaitan Yusuf struck again Wednesday.  

The Laker forward scored four goals Wednesday, leading the Clayton State women’s soccer team to a 4-0 victory over Peach Belt Conference foe Lander University at Laker Field.  Yusuf’s four goals come on the heels of a record-setting performance on Saturday, where she scored five goals in a 5-2 victory over the University of South Carolina Aiken. Yusuf has scored nine goals in the last two matches and leads the Peach Belt with 20 goals on the season.  

With the win, the Lakers improve to 7-3-1 on the season and 2-2-1 in the conference, while Lander drops to 5-3-4 on the year and 1-1-3 in the league. Clayton State will return to Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday, traveling to face Columbus State University, while Lander will play at the University of South Carolina Upstate on Saturday.

Yusuf opened the scoring in the 14^th minute of play on an unassisted play. She carried the ball approximately 50 yards beating a defender and the keeper to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead. Yusuf struck again in the 37^th minute on another unassisted play, beating a defender and then scoring after a deflection by Lander keeper Katherine Duncan.  

In the second half, Yusuf scored in the 52^nd minute, heading in ball off an assist from fellow freshman Jennifer Winslett. She scored the Lakers an insurance goal in the 64^th minute off an assist from junior Tiffany Bales.  

Lander finished with 16 shots on goal and had its best opportunity to score in the second half on penalty kick that was stopped by All-PBC keeper Judith Chime. She finished with six saves in the match. Lander keepers Duncan and Richelle Garland split time in goal and finished with a combined four saves.  

In addition to leading in the shot category, the Bearcats also finished with eight corner kicks compared to only three for Lander.   

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Clayton State’s Yusuf explodes for school 
record five goals in 5-2 win over USC Aiken 

Morrow, GA – October 9, 2004 --- Clayton College & State University freshman Olaitan Yusuf exploded for a school record five goals, leading the Laker women’s soccer team to a 5-2 Peach Belt Conference victory Saturday over the University of South Carolina Aiken at Laker Field in Morrow, GA.  

Yusuf broke the school mark with two goals in the first half and three in the second half. The five goals breaks the Clayton State best of four goals held by three players. Yusuf scored four goals earlier this season, senior Nkiru Okosieme scored four in the 2001 season and former Laker Kiera Morris scored four last season.   

Clayton State struck for an early goal nine minutes into the match after Yusuf took a pass from Okosieme, beat the keeper and converted a shot from 15 yards out. USC Aiken knotted the game at 1-1 two minutes later as sophomore Natasha DaCosta scored off a pass from junior Meg Newton that was deflected by freshman Laker keeper Loretta Ashu.  

In the second half, the Lakers struck for two goals in a seven-minute span to take control of the contest. Yusuf scored her third goal of the match, taking a long pass from freshman Lairin King and then deposited a shot in the upper right of the net from eight yards out. She scored again seven minutes later on an unassisted play, carrying the ball for 50 yards and beating several defenders, including the keeper.  

USCA cut the deficit to 4-2 in the 76^th minute, as senior Audie Beckman scored off a direct kick. Beckman drilled a shot from 18 yards out in the upper right of the net past the outstretched arms of Ashu. Yusuf scored her record-setting fifth goal of the day, taking a pass from Kowalcyzk. Her goal from 15 yards out found the lower right of the net.  

With the win, the Lakers improve to 6-3-1 on the season and 1-2-1 in the Peach Belt. USC Aiken falls 1-7-2 on the year and 0-4 in the league. Clayton State will return to action on Wednesday, hosting Lander University in a 2 p.m. match. USCA will return to action on Friday, hosting Brescia.  

The Lakers finished with 22 shots and four corner kicks compared to 15 shots and one corner kick for USCA. Clayton State’s Ashu, subbing for injured All-PBC keeper Judith Chime, had four saves, while Pacer keeper Shannon Hobbs finished with eight saves.    

 Clayton State and USC Upstate battle to 1-1 tie in PBC womens’ soccer action Wednesday 

Spartanburg, SC – Clayton College & State University and the University of South Carolina Upstate each scored goals in a two-minute span in the second half but neither was able muster up any more offense over the next final 51 minutes of play, as the teams settled for a 1-1 tie in Peach Belt Conference women’s soccer action Wednesday in Spartanburg, SC. 

The tie leaves Clayton State with a 5-3-1 overall and 0-2-1 mark in the league, while USC Upstate stands at 6-1-1 overall and 2-0-1 in the conference.  Clayton State will return to PBC action on Saturday, hosting USC Aiken at 3:30 p.m., and USC Upstate travels to Jacksonville, FL, for a 1:00 p.m. match against North Florida Saturday.  

After a scoreless first half which saw the two teams combine for six shots, USC Upstate broke through when Brandi Murphy played a cross from the right side and found Lemeh Horace in front of the goal.  Horace gained control of the pass and fired a shot by Clayton State keeper Judith Chime for a 1-0 Spartans lead in the 57th-minute. 

The lead was short-lived, though, as Olaitin Yusuf deeked a couple of defenders and pounded a shot just over the outreached arms of USC Upstate keeper Diana Wabnitz in the 59th-minute to tie the match at 1-1. The goal gives Yusuf a team-leading 11 goals on the season. 

From there, the teams battled to break through for a goal, but the match went into overtime.  USC Upstate had four shots in the first overtime period, but Chime thwarted the Spartans.  Clayton State had two shots in the second overtime period, but Wabnitz was equal to the task and the match ended in a tie.  Wabnitz recorded six saves for USC Upstate, while Chime tallied seven saves on the night for Clayton State.

UNCP’s Taylor scores late goal to lift Braves to 2-1 victory
 over Clayton State in PBC women’s soccer 

Pembroke, NC --- September 25, 2004 --- With eight minutes remaining, the University of North Carolina Pembroke’s Simonae Taylor scored the game-winning goal to lift the Braves to 2-1 victory Saturday over Clayton College & State University in women’s Peach Belt Conference soccer action in Pembroke, NC.  

Taylor’s goal found the left back of the net and came in the 82^nd-minute of the match off an assist from Katie Stokes.  

After a scoreless match for over 73 minutes, UNCP and Clayton State scored three goals in an eight-minute stretch near the end of the contest. UNCP’s Dana Henderson gave the Braves a 1-0 lead at 74-minute mark on a goal off an assist from Brenna Russick. The Lakers knotted the game at 1-1 four minutes later as Nkiru Okosieme converted a penalty kick, setting up Taylor’s game-winner.  

The loss drops Clayton State to 5-3 on the season and 0-2 in the Peach Belt, while UNC Pembroke improves to 7-0-1 and 1-0-1 in the league. Clayton State will return to action on Saturday, traveling face PBC opponent USC Upstate in a 4 p.m. match.  

UNC Pembroke finished with 20 shots compared to Clayton State’s 12. The Lakers had four corner kicks to the Braves’ two. Clayton State keeper Judith Chime finished with six saves and UNCP goalie Hillary Helms had five.  

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Clayton State’s Yusuf ties school record with
four goals in 7-0 win over North Greenville 

Tigerville, SC --- September 21, 2004 --- Clayton College & State University freshman Olaitan Yusuf tied a school record Tuesday, scoring four goals to help the Laker women’s soccer team cruise to a 7-0 victory against North Greenville College in Tigerville, S.C.  

The Lakers scored early and often jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the first half. Senior Nkiru Okosieme opened the scoring frenzy with two straight goals, giving the Lakers a 2-0 lead. The two goals give Okosieme eight on the season. 

Yusuf then struck for four straight with her last coming in the second half, giving her 10 goals on the season. Her four goals tied a school record for goals in match. Okosieme scored four goals in a match in the 2001 season against North Alabama, while Kiera Morris scored four goals in match last year against Spelman.  

Freshman Jennifer Winslett added the final goal of the match, her first of the season.  

With the win, Clayton State improves to 5-2 on the season and will return to Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday, traveling to face the University of North Carolina Pembroke in a 3:30 p.m. contest.  .

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FMU’s Fortune scores late goal to lift Patriots to 1-0 victory over Clayton State women’s soccer action 

Morrow, GA --- September 19, 2004 --- Francis Marion University sophomore forward Ashley Fortune scored a goal with three minutes remaining Sunday to break a scoreless match and propel the Patriots to a 1-0 Peach Belt Conference victory over Clayton College & State University at Laker Field.  

Fortune’s shot from seven yards out found the lower left of the goal and was just beyond the reach of Clayton State junior keeper Judith Chime. The play was setup off a pass from freshman Stacy Smith. The Patriots held on for the final three minutes to pull out the win. 

Clayton State led in most of the statistical categories except the one that counts the most, the score. The Lakers out shot Francis Marion 18 to 14 and besides the goal, the Patriots only had one shot on goal.  

The Laker had several scoring opportunities but was unable to convert. Junior forward Florence Okpala had breakaway in the first half but was denied by FMU senior keeper Jackie Bateman, and senior forward Nkiru Okosieme missed by inches in the second half, hitting bar on a shot from 25 yards out. The loss was the first time this season that the Lakers have been shutout.  

With the loss, the Lakers drop to 4-2 on the season and 0-1 in the Peach Belt. Clayton State will return to action on Tuesday, traveling to face North Greenville College. Francis Marion improves to 4-2 on the year and 1-0 in the league. The Patriots will return to action on Wednesday, September 29^th, hosting Belmont Abbey.  

Clayton State keeper Chime finished with one save in the match, while Francis Marion goalie Bateman had nine.

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Clayton State’s four-game winning streak halted; Lakers fall to Alabama-Huntsville 3-2 

Huntsville, AL, --- September 13, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women soccer team’s program-best four-game winning streak came to an end Monday, as the Lakers fell 3-2 to the University of Alabama-Huntsville in Huntsville, AL.  

Alabama-Huntsville scored two unanswered goals in the second half with the game-winner coming in the 65^th minute to hand the Lakers their first lost of the season. Clayton State drops to 4-1 on the year and will open its Peach Belt Conference schedule on Saturday, hosting Francis Marion University in a 3:30 p.m. match.  

The Lakers jumped out to a quick lead in the match as senior Nkiru Okosieme scored seven minutes into the contest off an assist from Jennifer Winslett, her sixth assist of the season.  

UAH answered three minutes later though to knot the score at 1-1 on a goal by Lindsey Schemeanaur. The Lakers regained the lead in the 40^th minute of the match on another goal by Okosieme, her sixth of the season, and went into intermission with a 2-1 lead.  

The Chargers tied the score at 2-2 in the 56^th minute on a goal by Kelley Bateman, followed by Schemeanaur scoring her second goal of the match, which turned out to be the game-winner in the 65^th minute.  

Alabama-Huntsville finished with 19 shots and one corner kick compared to 15 shots and two corner kicks by the Lakers. Keeper Judith Chime finished with five saves, while UAH goalie Sarah Sollie had six.

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Clayton State women improve to program- best 4-0 with 3-2 win over Rollins Friday 

Morrow, GA --- September 10, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team raced out a 3-1 lead against Rollins College and held on for a 3-2 victory, keeping its perfect record intact Friday at Laker Field. 

The Lakers improved to a program-best 4-0 record with the victory, while Rollins drops to 2-1 on the year. The Clayton State squad will return to action on Monday, traveling to the University of Alabama-Huntsville for a 5 p.m. (CT) match.  

Clayton jumped out to a quick lead 10 minutes into the match as junior Florence Okpala scored on an unassisted play, carrying the ball 15 yards and then beating the keeper with a shot in the lower left of the goal. Rollins answered a minute later, capitalizing on a foul in the Laker box area. Junior Laura Gild converted the penalty kick to knot the score at one apiece. 

Okapla scored her second goal of the match and third of the season in the 19^th minute, reclaiming the Laker lead at 2-1. Her shot in the lower right past the keeper was off an assist from Nkiru Okosieme. The Lakers extended their lead nine minutes later on a goal by Okosieme, her fourth of the season, off an assist from Olaitan Yusuf.  

Rollins’ Guild cut the deficit to a single goal in the 81^st minute of the match, scoring a goal after a short pass from senior Keri Dye. The play was set-up off a keeper deflection off a shot from Rollins sophomore Jacquelyn Parsons.  

Two minutes before Rollins’ final goal Clayton State keeper Judith Chime turned jeers into cheers with the stop of a penalty kick. Chime was yellow carded for unsporting behavior, setting up a penalty kick by Guild, her second of the game. Similar her first successful attempt, Guild went high and Chime guessed right, turning away the shot.   

The Lakers controlled much of the match until late when the Lakers seemed to tire in the heat. Shots were almost even between the two clubs with Rollins finishing with 24 compared to 23 for Clayton State. Each team had two corner kicks. Chime finished with 11 saves, while sophomore Rollins keeper Francesca Nicoloso had seven.

Clayton State’s Yusuf named Peach Belt
women’s soccer Player of the Week 

Morrow, GA --- September 7, 2004 --- Through three games this season, Clayton College & State University freshman Olaitan Yusuf leads the Peach Belt Conference in scoring and points per game, averaging two goals per game, and her stellar play did not go unnoticed by the conference office.  

Yusuf (Ilorin, Nigeria) was named Tuesday the Peach Belt women’s soccer Player of the Week after scoring six goals and dishing off one assist in three games. Her play early this season has led the women’s soccer team to a program-best 3-0 start to the season.  

She opened the season with two goals against Montevallo, including the game winner in the 70^th minute of the match. She came back with two goals in a 5-1 victory over North Georgia College & State University, followed by two goals and an assist against Presbyterian College, the 23^rd ranked team in the country.  

Yusuf becomes the third Clayton State player to receive Player of the Week honors, as fellow teammates Nkiru Okosieme and Florence Okpala have also received the honor. Okosieme, the all-time leading scorer in the Peach Belt with 50 career goals, was named Player of the Week twice in 2001 and once in 2002, while Okpala received the honor once in 2002.   

Clayton State will return to action on Friday, hosting Rollins College in a 3 p.m. match at Laker Field. The women’s squad is coming off a 3-1 victory over 23^rd-ranked Presbyterian College on Sunday and has opened the season with a 3-0 record, the best start in the program’s 10-year history.   

The Lakers were scheduled to have played Spelman College at 5 p.m. today (Tuesday, Sept. 7), but the match was postponed due to the weather.   

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Clayton State women's soccer vs. Spleman postponed today; to host Rollins on Fri. 

Morrow, GA --- September 7, 2004 --- Due to heavy rains last night and the threat of more inclement weather today, the Clayton College & State University women’s soccer match scheduled for today (Tuesday, Sept. 7) has been postponed.  

The Lakers were scheduled to have played Spelman College at 5 p.m. The match has been tentatively rescheduled for Tuesday, October 26^th at 4 p.m.
Clayton State will return to action on Friday, hosting Rollins College in a 3 p.m. match at Laker Field. 

The women’s squad is coming off a 3-1 victory over 23^rd-ranked Presbyterian College on Sunday and has opened the season with a 3-0 record, the best start in the program’s 10-year history. 

Yusuf scores two more goals, leads Laker women to
3-1 victory over 23^rd ranked Presybterian  

MORROW, GA --- September 5, 2004 --- For the third straight game, Clayton College & State University freshman Olaitan Yusuf scored two goals in a contest, and also for the third consecutive time this season, the Lakers captured a victory.  

The Clayton State women’s soccer team won its third in a row on Sunday, knocking off 23^rd-ranked Presbyterian College 3-1 at Laker Field. The win is only the third time in school history that women’s soccer program has defeated a nationally ranked team. Clayton State defeated two nationally ranked teams in Francis Marion University and the University of North Florida in the 2002 season.  

With the win, the Lakers improve to 3-0 on the season, the best start in the program’s 10-year history. Clayton State will try keep its unbeaten streak alive on Tuesday, hosting Spelman College in a 5 p.m. contest. Presbyterian drops to 1-1 on the season and will return to action on Saturday, September 11, hosting Lenoir-Rhyne College in a 7 p.m. match. 

In Sunday’s contest, the Lakers struck early as Yusuf drilled a shot from 20 yards out in the upper left of the net three minutes into the match. The play was setup on a long cross from senior Nkiru Okosieme.  

Clayton State extended its lead to 2-0 in the 19^th minute, as a 25-yard shot by junior Florence Okpala found the lower left of the goal past the outstretched arms of freshman Presbyterian keeper Erin Sinkuler. The play was setup on a pass from Yusuf.  

Neither team scored for almost 50 minutes of play until the Blue Hose cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 78^th minute with a goal from freshman Millie Green off an assist by junior Jennifer Merritt.  Clayton State answered right back, however, as Yusuf scored her second goal of the game and her sixth of the season off a corner kick from freshman Jennifer Winslette.  

Presbyterian took 21 shots compared to only 11 for the Lakers and had 11 corner kicks to Clayton State’s five. Laker keeper Judith Chime shined in goal with 10 saves, while Sinkuler had seven stops.  

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Okosieme, Yusuf score two goals apiece 
to lead Lakers to 5-1 victory over North Georgia 

Gainesville, GA --- September 2, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University duo of Nkiru Okosieme and Olaitan Yusuf each scored two goals apiece Thursday to lead the Laker women’s soccer team to 5-1 victory over North Georgia College & State University at the Allen Creek Soccer Complex in Gainesville, GA. 

After North Georgia struck for an early goal nine minutes into the match, Clayton State responded with five unanswered to goals to cruise to victory. Clayton State will return to action on Sunday in its toughest test of the young season, hosting 24^th-ranked Presbyterian College in a 2 p.m. match. 

Okosieme tied the score at 1-1 in the 11^th minute, slicing through the defense and finishing off a shot in the upper part of the goal from 15 yards out. Okosieme struck again two minutes later on a header off a corner kick from Jennifer Winslette. 

The Lakers, 2-0 on the season, padded their lead in the 27^th minute on the first of two goals by Olaitan Yusuf. Lauren Burch was credited with the assist on the play. Burch scored a goal of her own seven minutes later, giving the Lakers a 4-1 lead with a chip over the keeper from 18 yards out. 

Yusuf provided the Lakers a little insurance with her second goal in the 44^th  minute off an assist from Winslette. 

Clayton State controlled the match, outshooting the Saints 13-8 and had six corner kicks compared to none for North Georgia. Laker keeer Judith Chime finished with three saves and Saint keeper Kelly Conarro finished with two. 

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Laker women open season with 3-1 victory; 
Yusuf scores two goals in freshman debut

MONTEVALLO, AL --- August 28, 2004 --- Clayton College & State University freshman Olaitan Yusuf opened her Laker women’s soccer career with a bang, scoring two goals, including the game-winner in a 3-1 victory over the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, AL.  

After Montevallo took an early 1-0 lead 26 minutes into the match on a goal by Kim Reiniger, Yusuf scored her first goal only minutes before halftime off an assist from Jennifer Winslette. She added another goal at the 70-minute mark of the match on an unassisted play to give the Lakers a 2-1 lead.  

Clayton State added a little insurance in the closing minutes as senior Nkiru Okosieme scored a goal with three minutes to play off another assist from Winslette.  

The Lakers controlled much of the match, outshooting the Falcons 19-12. Clayton State keeper Judith Chime finished with two saves, while Montevallo goalie Emily Thurmond had nine.  

With the win, the Lakers improve to 1-0 on the season and will return to action on Thursday, September 3, traveling to face North Georgia College & State University in a 5 p.m. match. 

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Clayton State picked sixth in Peach Belt
Conference preseason women’s soccer poll

MORROW, GA --- August 24, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s soccer team is gearing for the upcoming season, and according to Peach Belt Conference coaches, the Lakers will be one of the underdogs for the 2004 PBC title.

Clayton State was picked to finish sixth in the recently released conference poll of coaches. The University of North Florida was the favorite among the nine league coaches, followed by the University of South Carolina Upstate and Francis Marion University. The University of North Carolina Pembroke was picked to finish fourth, followed by Columbus State University and Clayton State.

North Florida returns six starters from last season’s 11-8-1 team and 21 players overall. USC Upstate reached the finals of the 2003 PBC Tournament after a 13-6-1 regular season.  Francis Marion brings back 13 letterwinners and eight starters to the 2004 team but will have to replace two-time PBC Player of the Year Katie Roberts. UNC Pembroke lost only one starter from last year, but it was the team’s leading scorer, while Columbus State takes the field for the first time under coach Jay Entlich.

After finishing the 2002 season with a program best 11-4-4 record, last year’s CCSU’s women’s team was decimated by injuries and were without the services of their two leading scorers and four starters for most of the year, finishing with a 4-14-1 record. Head coach Totty Totty enters his seventh season as the Laker coach and hopes the club can rebound from last year’s season.

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, Okosieme returns for senior season after sitting out last season to play in her fourth FIFA World Cup for Nigeria. Okosieme is the all-time leading scorer in the Peach Belt with 47 goals in only two years of play. In 2001, she scored 33 goals, second most in the country. 

The Lakers will be equally strong in goal as two-time All-Peach Belt keeper Judith Chime returns for her junior season.  She ranked third in the nation in 2003, averaging over 11 saves per match. In 2002, Chime recorded a school best .64 goals against average, while posting eight shutouts.

In addition to Okosieme and Chime, another top returnee will be sophomore All-PBC performer Cassandra Rapaich. An athletic and versatile player, Rapaich started all 19 matches last season. Three-year starter Jill Kowalczyk and two-year starter Florence Okpala are also expected to return after seeing only limited action last year due to knee injuries. True freshman Olaitan Yusuf, from the Nigeria, is the program’s top recruit and hopefully will follow in the footsteps of Okosieme as an impact player for the squad.

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.

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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.  

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