BANNER ELK, N.C.----The third time was a charm for the Lander men's soccer team.

After having been defeated by No. 14 Clayton State University twice this season -- including 3-2 in double-overtime last Sunday in the Peach Belt Conference championship game -- the No. 19 Bearcats defeated their nemesis, 1-0, Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Southeast Regional championship hosted by Lees-McRae College. (A preview of the Southeast Regional final will be posted later today)

Jamie Ramm scored the game's lone goal off an Adam Arthur corner kick near the end of the first half.

Lander, which improves to 14-4-2 overall, will face No. 2 Lees-McRae College (20-1-1), a 3-0 winner over Queens University, in Saturday's 7 o'clock regional championship game. The regional champion will advance to the NCAA's Elite Eight. Clayton ends the season at 13-3-2.

The Lakers outshot Lander, 16-6, and led in corner kicks, 5-1.

Lander goalkeeper Garrett Daum, who recorded his 10th shutout of the season, had eight saves, while Clayton State's Billy Hale had one.