MORROW, Ga. – Freshman Alexis Pittman scored for the second time in as many outings and keeper Gina Ryan notched her ninth-career shutout to lead the UNC Pembroke soccer squad to its first Peach Belt Conference (PBC) victory of the season, a 1-0 triumph over host Clayton State.

MATCH INFORMATION
Score: UNC Pembroke 1, Clayton State 0
Records: UNC Pembroke (3-2, 1-0 PBC); Clayton State (2-3, 0-2 PBC)
Location: Laker Field
Series: Clayton State leads 9-8-2

HOW IT HAPPENED
Box Score/Play-by-Play

FIRST HALF
-UNCP's Katie Watkins produced the match's first shot in the third minute, but was turned back by Laker goalkeeper Jessica Charman.
-Clayton State's best chance of the night came early in the seventh minute, when Gina Ryan had to make two saves in the span of four seconds, sending the second of the crossbar and over the net.
-The Braves uncorked six more shots (all on goal) and four corner kicks in the next 28 minutes, but Charman stood strong in net to send the match to half without a score.

SECOND HALF
-The Black & Gold finally broke through in the 51st minute when Jasmine Senecal-Guzman found Alexis Pittman on a through ball and the freshman beat Charman one-on-one to put the Braves up 1-0.
-Ryan was forced to make just one save in the second half, which came five minutes after the Braves went ahead on Pittman's goal.
-UNCP outshot the hosts 7-4 in the final 45 minutes and took the only three corners of the second half.

NOTABLES
-Pittman (2 goals, 1 assist) now leads the Braves with five points and 18 shots this season despite playing in just the ninth-most minutes.
-Senecal-Guzman's assist was her first of the season and the second of her career in the defender's 60th-career match.
-The Braves held a 14-9 advantage in total shots, a commanding 12-4 edge in shots on goal and have now outshot their opponent in four-straight outings.
-Pittman paced the Black & Gold with three shots, while Senecal-Guzman, Carly Rochelle and Kristina Stevenson each recorded a pair.

WHAT WAS SAID (HEAD COACH LARS ANDERSSON)
-"I've always said wins are hard to come by in the PBC, so winning our first game on the road and getting three points is huge."
-"It wasn't the prettiest of games, especially in the first half, but the strength of our team is taking in information at halftime and making adjustments."
-"We looked much better and dominated the game in the second half. Not only did we get the early goal, but we had a couple of more opportunities in the half."
-"From the forwards all the way to the back line, we kept our shape and didn't give up many chances tonight."

UP NEXT
The Braves wrap up a five-match road trip with a Saturday trip to Columbus, Georgia to face off with No. 2 Columbus State. First touch is set for 1 p.m. at the Walden Soccer Complex. The Cougars (3-1, 1-1 PBC) dropped their first match of the season on Wednesday, a 3-2 setback to PBC foe North Georgia. UNCP upset then-No. 9 Columbus State last season by a 1-0 final in Pembroke.