MORROW, Ga. – Senior Josh Phelps put the visiting UNC Pembroke men's soccer team on the board first with his score in the 62nd minute, but Clayton State added a pair of goals spanning 15 minutes to control the 2-1 victory in Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday evening at Laker Field.

Phelps gave UNCP (4-3-1, 1-1-1 PBC) the advantage over Clayton State (4-2-1, 1-1-0) at the 61:55 mark on a header from the right side of the goal with the assist coming from freshman Jordan Walshaw. The Black and Gold led for nearly seven minutes on Phelps's second goal of the season. 

"We had a fantastic second-half performance from the guys against a very good Clayton State team," said UNCP head coach Phil Hindson. "I think it was unfortunate to lose, but that's the way it goes sometimes. I am very proud of our second-half performance and the continual improvement."

The Lakers tied up the match in the 70th minute as Avery Shepard used a header that crossed in front of the goal, and solidified the win on Sekou Thornell's goal with less than six minutes left in regulation which was picked up in a scuffle in front of the net and sent to the back right corner.

Clayton State out-shot the Braves in the contest, 23-11, but the Black and Gold left the Lakers wanting after an 11-2 shot disparity in the first 45 minutes of action. Sophomore goalkeeper Kenneth Perkinson notched 10 saves in his 90 minutes between the posts including six in the first stanza. Viltsu Tuumi registered seven saves for the Lakers as he spend the entire game in goal.

UNCP's attack was led by Phelps with four shots including a pair on goal, while Branco Theis had three shots on goal and Walshaw added two. Iain Smith and Thornell shared a team-high five shots, while Aleksi Tuominen contributed four to the Lakers' effort.

The Braves will make the short trip down Interstate 95 to Florence, S.C., to take on Francis Marion (5-2-1, 1-1-0) on Wednesday in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Hartzler Soccer Field.