BOCA RATON, Fla. – September 9, 2011 – Lightning struck the Clayton State Laker men’s soccer team on Friday – literally.

Playing in the Wyndham Garden Inn/Lynn Soccer Classic, Clayton State suffered its first defeat of the 2011 season as the fell to host Lynn 2-1. The game was halted by a combination of lightning and darkness in the 80th minute, preserving the victory for the Knights.

Clayton State, ranked fifth in the nation in Division II, falls to 3-1 overall. Lynn, coached by former Laker head coach John Rootes, improves to 2-1 overall. Clayton State plays Palm Beach Atlantic in the Wyndham Garden Inn/Lynn Soccer Classic on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Lakers had their difficulties penetrating a sturdy Lynn defense. The Knights limited Clayton State to only three shots for the game. However, Clayton State struck first as senior All-American forward Ryan Pugh scored his third goal of the season on an assist by fellow senior Matty Phillips.

But the turning point in the game came in the 47th minute when the Lakers’ Roger Boniface was whistled for red card inside the penalty box. That gave Lynn the opportunity to tie on the penalty kick, and Heiko Eberhardt cashed in on the chance.

Up a man, Lynn took the lead for good in the 71st minute as Harald Gracholski scored the go-ahead goal off a deflection.

Clayton State goalkeeper Brian Garcia recorded six saves in the defeat, while his Knight counterpart Matt DiCerbo had two saves. Lynn had 19 shots for the game.

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