Sayon hat trick spurs comeback victory for Clayton State women
Lakers snap five-game losing skid with 3-2 victory over rival North Georgia

MORROW, Ga. – September 30, 2009 – Just when it looked like the Clayton State Laker women’s soccer team was down and out, Cherie Sayon rose to the occasion.

The freshman forward recorded her first career hat trick on Wednesday as Clayton State rallied for a thrilling come-from-behind 3-2 Peach Belt Conference victory over visiting North Georgia at Laker Field. The defeat snaps a five-game losing skid for Clayton State, which improves to 2-6 and 1-2 in the PBC.

The Lakers trailed 2-0 in the first half when Sayon went to work.

She cut the Lady Saint lead in half in the 36th minute on a header off a cross from Maggie Mueller. Four minutes later, the duo hooked up again as Mueller fed Sayon on another cross for a goal inside the penalty from the left side.

Sayon gave the Lakers the lead for good in the 61st minute as she hammered home the goal over the head of North Georgia goalkeeper Jessica English. Caitlin Clark and Rebekah Cook combined on the double-assist on the goal.

North Georgia (4-3-1, 1-2 PBC) scored both of its goals in the first 30 minutes of the contest. Kelsey Martin scored on transition off a pass from the center from Lauren Schenck in the 10th minute. In the 27th minute, Schenck scored from the top of the penalty box off a left cross from Laura Lane.

Clayton State goalkeeper Dominique Trappio recorded seven saves in the victory, while English recorded one save for North Georgia. The Lady Saints out-shot Clayton State 21-9.

Clayton State plays host to UNC Pembroke in a key PBC contest on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Laker Field.