PEMBROKE – Visiting and 23rd-ranked Clayton State got goals from five different players, including a trio of second half scores, to stretch its series winning streak out to seven games with a 5-1 win over UNCP on Saturday afternoon at Varsity Grounds.

Newcomer Stuart Rodgers netted a goal in the 90th minute of play to help the Braves (2-6-1, 0-3-0 PBC) avoid its second consecutive shutout. The Lakers scored goals less than five minutes apart toward the end of the first half to take a 2-0 edge into the intermission, but then scored three times in the final period to provide the final.

UNCP goalkeeper Ryan Hanson registered a pair of saves in the effort for the Braves, who have not tasted victory in its series with the Lakers since the 2004 Peach Belt Conference Tournament. Starter Brian Garcia recorded nearly 79 minutes of shutout action for Clayton State between the pipes, with backup Ryan Edwards tallying one save, but allowing the hosts' only goal, in just more than 11 minutes of playing time.

"We got beat by a better team today," said UNCP head coach Phil Hindson. "However, our new guys are continuing to get experience against quality teams and that is something that is very valuable to us."

A back-and-forth game for much of the first 30 minutes of play, reigning PBC Player of the Week Ryan Pugh got the Lakers off the mark in the 33rd minute when he redirected a pass from David Duot past a diving Hanson for the 1-0 lead. Just less than five minutes later, Sam Bevan netted his first goal of the season when he connected on a 25-yard direct kick.

Leighton Fredericks needed just 18 seconds off the second half clock to give the visitors a 3-0 edge, but the Lakers added goals from Duot in the 71st minute and 89th minute before Rodgers got the Braves off the mark late in the outing.

UNCP will be back in action again on Wednesday when it makes the trip to southwestern South Carolina to battle league foe USC Aiken (???) in a 7:30 p.m. contest at Pacer Pit.