Second-half spurt propels Clayton State women past West Georgia 3-2

September 14, 2011

CARROLLTON, Ga. – September 14, 2011 – Gareth O’Sullivan enjoyed a successful homecoming return to West Georgia on Wednesday as his Clayton State Laker women’s soccer team pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Wolves at University Field.

The victory is the second straight and third in the last four games for Clayton State, which improves to 3-2 overall. West Georgia, the program that O’Sullivan started in 2005, falls to 1-4 overall. The Lakers have now won two straight against their in-state rivals after losing the first three games head-to-head.

"It’s always nice to come back to a place where you once coached, and there are some great people here," said O’Sullivan. "However, it was also great to get the win and tonight was a good result for us. We had a lot of players step up tonight and we showed a lot of character in coming back like we did."

The Lakers fell behind early 1-0 as West Georgia’s Jessica Young drilled a 25-yard strike from the middle over the out-stretched hands of Clayton State goalkeeper Laoise O’Driscoll in the 15th minute. However, Clayton State recorded the equalizer 15 minutes later as Natalia Valentine served a soft cross into the penalty box that was flicked in the goal by Patricia O’Driscoll.

With the score deadlocked in the second half, Clayton State countered on two key opportunities.

Valentine took an entry pass from Josefine Holsten down the left wing and scored the go-ahead goal in the 45th minute. Holsten then made 3-1 in favor of the Lakers as she scored from the top of the penalty box in the 59th minute off an assist by Haley Durham.

West Georgia trimmed it to 3-2 in the 87th minute when Cydney Raymond scored on a penalty kick.

O’Driscoll recorded six saves for Clayton State, while Wolves goalkeeper Mary Laza also recorded six saves. Clayton State out-shot West Georgia 15-12.

Clayton State opens Peach Belt Conference play on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Lander.

—CSU—