MORROW, GA – Francis Marion University put a handful of shots on goal against the 15th-ranked Clayton State Lakers, but none of them found the net, sending the Patriots home with a tough 1-0 loss at Laker Field, Saturday night in men’s soccer action.

The Patriots (1-7-0, 0-2-0), played the defending Peach Belt Conference champions to scoreless tie after 45 minutes of play before the Lakers (6-2-0, 1-1) scored the go-ahead goal in the 62nd minute.

Clayton State’s Sukhman Bal scored his first goal of the season off a corner kick that found him in front of the goal. Both Janny Rivera and Roger Boniface were credited with assists.

FMU had an opportunity to take an early lead, but a shot off the foot of senior Cameron Mabee was saved by Clayton State keeper Brian Garcia in the fourth minute. Senior Adrian Williams and junior Chuy Cruz also saw their attempts to put the Patriots up early get turned away by Garcia.

The three shots on goal in the first half were Francis Marion’s only three shots of the match. Clayton State outshot the Patriots 24-3, and held a 15-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Patriot freshman goalkeeper Nick Lucido made seven saves of his own in the match, compared to the three made by Garcia.

FMU closes out its four-match road trip on Wednesday (Sept. 28) when the Patriots travel to take on ninth-ranked Lander University at 7 p.m. for a PBC showdown. 

#15 Clayton State (6-2-0, 1-1-0) def. Francis Marion Univ. (1-7, 0-2 PBC) 1-0
Date: Sep 24, 2011  Attendance: 72

Goals by period              1  2  Tot
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Francis Marion Univ.     0  0 -  0
#15 Clayton State.......  0  1 -  1

SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.  61:00 CLSM Bal, Sukhman (1) (Rivera, Janny;Boniface, Roger) - Front of the goal off corner kick

Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 3, Clayton State 24
Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 8 (Lucido, Nick 7; TEAM 1), Clayton State 3 (Garcia, Brian 3)

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