PEMBROKE – Despite a tied score following halftime, the UNC Pembroke men's soccer team chipped in its first goal less than 30 seconds into the second stanza and added an insurance goal in the 49th minute to forge a 2-0 lead, but needed a stout defense to hold back a late surge by Clayton State and key a 2-1 victory over the Lakers on Saturday evening at Varsity Grounds in Peach Belt Conference action.

The triumph helped UNCP (2-3-2, 1-1-1 PBC) extended its unbeaten-streak to four games, while also giving the Braves their first victory in league play and snapping a one-game losing streak in the series with the Lakers (3-3-0, 1-1-0). The setback marked the second-straight loss for Clayton State.

Senior Kevin Vigebo cashed in on his first goal of the season to give the Braves the 1-0 lead on the assist by fellow senior Brett Luccia. Luccia used a cross pass from inside the box for a shot from the left side past a diving Nick Punter at the 45:22 mark. Forward Sam Miles ended the night with his third goal of the season and second game-winner as he used a free kick to play the ball in the lower left corner of the net following a foul outside the box.

"Things are starting to come together," said UNCP head coach Phil Hindson. "We are a young group and they are battling very hard and it was an excellent win."

Freshman goalkeeper Kenneth Perkinson logged a career-high seven saves including four in the second half and allowed the one goal in grabbing his second victory between the pipes for the Braves. Despite being outshot 20-7, the UNCP defense held off the onslaught of 14 shots in the final 45 minutes.

Miles carried a team-high two shots, while Clayton Gannaway, Ricky Chavez, Nathan Legge, Reece Rooney and Vigebo each posted one shot. UNCP committed 21 of the game's 31 total fouls including three cautions all awarded to the Black and Gold.

The Lakers' lone score on the night came from the foot of Avery Shepard on a penalty kick, and who also held the most shots on the team with five, while Paul Lawless and Johnny Evans each tallied three. Punter grabbed just one save in a losing cause.

The Braves will close out their four-game home stand with a mid-week battle against Francis Marion (5-1-1, 0-1-1 PBC) on Wednesday at Varsity Grounds with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.