MORROW, Ga.----What was anticipated as a Peach Belt Conference men's soccer showdown turned out sour in the second half for the Clayton State Lakers.
With three second half goals, the Lander Bearcats handed Clayton State its first Peach Belt defeat this season with a 4-1 victory on Saturday at Laker Field. The defeat, the fourth straight for the Lakers, drops Clayton State to 4-7 overall and 1-1 in the Peach Belt. 21st-ranked Lander improves to 9-1 overall and 2-1 in the Peach Belt.
With the score tied 1-1 at the half, Lander took control with two goals in the opening minutes. Adam Arthur gave the Bearcats a 2-1 lead in the opening seconds off a lob pass from Tyler Davis. Four minutes later, Nick Cooke scored on a header off a cross from Arthur.
The Lander duo hooked up again in the 78th minute as Cooke scored on a lob pass by Arthur.
Arthur scored twice for the Bearcats. His 15-yard strike from the top of the penalty box gave Lander a 1-0 lead. However, Clayton State recorded the equalizer in the 31st minute as Angel Kalinov hammered home a 17-yard shot from the left side of the penalty box. Hailab Habtom and Johnny Lara recorded the assists for the Lakers on the play.
Clayton State goalkeeper Heath Padgett recorded five saves in defeat, while his Lander counterpart Garrett Daum recorded six saves.