DAHLONEGA - Despite being outshot, 23-20, the University of North Georgia men's soccer team defeated Clayton State, 5-2, Saturday evening at the UNG Soccer Complex, snapping a two-match losing streak in the process.

Clayton State came out of the gate quickly, taking four shots in the first three minutes of the contest, but the Nighthawk defense stood tall, preventing the Lakers from scoring.

The scoring started in the 18th minute when Alex Grant put home a chip shot over the Laker keeper off a Gabriel Garcia pass. Garcia was rewarded for the unselfish play four minutes later when Prince Domafriyie found the senior wide open in the middle of the field for a shot and goal, pushing the score to 2-0.

Domafriyie found Eren Ozer 10 minutes later on a cross from the left side to add another goal to the Nighthawks' side, but the Lakers answered with a goal off a penalty kick rebound to cut the lead to two headed to halftime.

Garcia scored again in the 79th minute to push the lead out to 4-1, but another penalty kick for Clayton State allowed for the Lakers to pull back within striking distance with 10 minutes to play. Domafriyie put the game to rest with a goal in the 89th minute after going one-on-one with the keeper.

NOTES
- North Georgia won its second straight game over Clayton State by a 5-2 score. It was the first time in program history that the Nighthawks beat the Lakers at home.

- Matt Sharman posted 10 saves on the outing, saving one penalty kick and nearly saving the other.

- Garcia becomes the seventh player in program history to tally five points in a single game with his two goals and one assist.

NEXT UP
The Nighthawks start a four-game road swing at North Greenville Tuesday night. Kickoff from South Carolina is set for 7:30 p.m.