For the second consecutive game Marco Warren and his Flagler College Men's Soccer teammates had to fend off a rally, this time by Clayton State University, to come away with a 3-2 Peach Belt Conference victory at Saints Field.
Flagler improved to 2-1-1 overall and moved to 2-0-0 in the Peach Belt. Clayton State dropped to 2-2-1 overall and 0-1-0 in conference play.
Flagler struck early and often in the first half. Oscar Davidsson was in the right place at the right time as he knocked in a bad clear by a Clayton State player in the 4th minute to give Flagler a 1-0 lead.
In the 13th minute, Warren went on a run down the middle of the field and threaded a pass to Juan Membreno who tucked the shot inside the near post.
Pedro Silva added another goal when he headed in a pass in the 27th minute to give Flagler a commanding 3-0 lead. The score would stand going into overtime.
However, Clayton State got their first goal on a blast from Bilal Nakhil in the 55th minute. From there on out, Clayton State went on the offensive and kept pressing.
Jonny Evans headed in a shot in the 83rd minute and Clayton State trailed by one goal, 3-2.
Just five minutes later, a header by Avery Shepard from eight yards out went high and Nick Bracey had another chance at an equalizer, but his blast sailed just high of the crossbar with eight second remaining.
Lex Craggs collected a season-high 10 saves for the Saints. Viltsu Tuumi recorded two saves for the Lakers.
Clayton State out-shot Flagler 23-11 which included a 15-3 spread in the second half alone. The Lakers also enjoyed a 10-5 advantage in corner kicks.
