Yusuf powers Laker women to convincing 3-0 shutout over UNC-Pembroke
Senior forward scores twice as Clayton State improves to 5-3-1 and 2-2 in Peach Belt

MORROW, Ga. – September 29, 2007 – Needing a victory to boost its confidence for the final stretch of the 2007 season, the Clayton State Laker women’s soccer got that boost on Saturday with a 3-0 shutout victory over visiting UNC-Pembroke in Peach Belt Conference action at Laker Field.

Clayton State, which came into the game having dropped three of its last four games, improves to 5-3-1 overall and an even 2-2 in the Peach Belt.

The shutout was the fourth this season for Clayton State, and the Lakers’ second straight against a Peach Belt opponent. Meanwhile, senior forward Olaitan Yusuf was the anchor to a Laker offense that turned it up a few octaves.

She scored twice, giving her nine for the season. Yusuf gave the Lakers a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute when she flicked home a pass off a corner kick. Jennifer Winslett and Maggie Mueller were credited with a double-assist on the play.

10 minutes later, senior forward Yasemin Sunbul took an incoming pass from defender Loretta Ashu and hammered home the second Laker goal to make the score 2-0 in favor of Clayton State. The goal was bitter sweet for Sunbul, who transferred to Clayton State from UNC-Pembroke after the 2004 season.

Yusuf put the nail the coffin in the 60th minute in the second half as she penetrated the Braves’ defense and out-maneuvered UNC-Pembroke goalkeeper Whitney Beverly for the final Clayton State goal. With her two goals, Yusuf, a two-time Division II All-American, increased her Clayton State and Peach Belt Conference records in career goals to 73 and career points to 163.

Clayton State goalkeeper Lindsay Schmidt recorded her first shutout of the season with three saves, while Beverly recorded six saves for UNC-Pembroke (6-3-1, 0-3-1).

Clayton State plays host to in-state rival Shorter on Monday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Laker Field.