UNCP Winning Skein Snapped At Clayton State
MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State got first half goals from both Alargie Jobe and Leighton Fredericks to build an early 2-0 lead and used a smothering defense in limiting visiting UNCP to just four shots as the Lakers kept themselves well in the hunt for the league's regular season title with a 3-0 win over the Braves on Saturday at Laker Field.
The result snapped a two-game winning streak for UNCP (5-5-1, 1-2-0 PBC) who had scored at least three goals in each of its last two outings. The win was the second consecutive league win for the Lakers (6-4-0, 2-1-0) who extended their series winning streak against the Braves out to five games as well.
Daniel Bougt registered a team-best two shots for the Black and Gold, with Andy Pullin limited to just a single look after booking hat tricks (three goals) in each of his last two outings. Dean Moore matched a season high with seven saves between the pipes for the Braves – the second time in the last three contests he has accomplished that superlative.
“We just didn't play well,” said UNCP head coach Mike Schaeffer. “We couldn't have put a better-looking bow on the gift-wrapped goal that we gave them early on and then they got a soft penalty kick to get a 2-0 lead. We had a chance to get back into it with a penalty kick of our own, but Andy (Pullin) didn't hit the ball very well. We just didn't have any chances after that. They were a much better team than us today.”
It did not take long for Clayton State to scratch the scoreboard as junior served a long pass into the penalty box, and Jobe used his 6-foot-7 frame to out-jump Moore and score on a header for a sixth minute score. The hosts struck again 13 minutes later when a tackle inside the box warranted a penalty kick attempt to which Fredericks converted to cap the first half scoring and give CSU a 2-0 cushion at the intermission.
UNCP had its best chance to get off the mark in the 58th minute after a Clayton State foul inside the penalty area, but Pullin's soft strike was easily snared by Laker goalkeeper David Cristofoli to keep the Braves at a goose egg. Clayton State would cap the game's scoring in the 83rd minute when senior Kyle Timm hooked up with senior forward Brian Endres with a pass down the right wing. Endres scored the Lakers' third goal on a shot from the right side of the penalty box.
UNCP will be back in action again on Wednesday when the Braves return home to battle PBC rival USC Aiken (4-4-1, 1-1-0) in a 7:30 p.m. tilt at Varsity Grounds. Admission to all 2009 UNCP Soccer home games is free.
