MORROW, Ga. – October 1, 2011 – Aiming to snap a recent losing skid, the Clayton State Laker women’s soccer team got an early first-half goal and literally held on for dear life to edge visiting Georgia College 1-0 in Peach Belt Conference action at Laker Field on Saturday.

The victory ends a three-game losing streak for Clayton State, which improves to 4-5 overall and 1-3 in the Peach Belt. It also snapped a five-game losing streak head-to-head for the Lakers against Georgia College. The Bobcats fall to 3-7 overall and 2-2 in the Peach Belt.

“Very delighted for that first conference victory,” said Clayton State head coach Gareth O’Sullivan. “We were fortunate to be leading at halftime, but the girls played a strong second half and did what we needed to do to maintain the victory.”

In a defensive battle, Clayton State got its only goal in a peculiar way. Lorna O’Connell entered the ball on a throw-in, which was deflected back to her by a Georgia College defender. The junior then lofted the ball from 25 yards out into the penalty box, where it took a funny bounce over Georgia College goalkeeper Taylor Cornelius and into the goal in the 11^th minute.

That turned out to be the lone goal of the contest, but it was not without its share of dramatics. Clayton State goalkeeper Laoise O’Driscoll recorded nine saves, but her biggest came in the 73^rd minute when Georgia College had a chance to tie on a penalty kick. However, O’Driscoll thwarted the chance by the Bobcats’ Brittany Borror.

For the game, Georgia College out-shot the Lakers 19-9, and the two teams combined for 23 fouls.

Clayton State returns to action on Wednesday at Montevallo. Game time is 8:30 p.m. EDT. 

—CSU—