Historic Hurricane Victory

Historic Hurricane Victory

AMERICUS, Ga. - Once the clock struck zero, the Georgia Southwestern men's soccer team celebrated the program's first-ever victory against the Clayton State Lakers as the 'Canes prevailed, 3-2, on a sunshine-filled Wednesday afternoon in Americus.

Coming off a two-game road trip, the familiar sights of Hurricane Field helped GSW's previously stuttering offense come alive as the 'Canes punched in a season-best tying three goals on the afternoon ensuring them their first conference victory on the season.

The win also marked the third conference victory in the program's seven-year history in the Peach Belt Conference. 

The Hurricanes were first on the board when freshman forward Pablo Lajeunesse scored an unassisted goal off a direct kick from the top of the box in the 35th minute of the first half. The goal, the first of his career, gave GSW a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

In the 65th minute of the second half, Clayton State's junior forward Alhagi Toure dribbled through the Hurricane defense to score his eighth goal of the season, tying the score at one goal a piece.

GSW's Lajeunesse's afternoon wasn't done however as he set up the Hurricanes' second goal of the match when fellow forward Joshua Manga took his pass and punched in a goal in the 76th minute. The score, Manga's second of the season, put Southwestern up, 2-1.

The 'Canes third goal of the afternoon came off the foot of Hurricane freshman sensation Michael Corrigan in the 85th minute of the second half. In Corrigan's first start coming off an injury, he took a pass from fellow freshman Charlie Curran to score his team-high sixth goal of the season to put the Canes up 3-1.

At six, Corrigan is now tied with former Hurricane Jamie Kiep (2008) with the most goals scored in a season.

That proved to be the game-deciding goal as GSW held on for victory despite a late score from Lakers' midfielder Elliot Prost in the 89th minute of the match.

On the afternoon, Clayton State outshot GSW 25-7, 11-5 on goal, and held a 10-3 corner kick advantage.

Corrigan led the team with three shots, all on goal, while senior goal keeper Cade Jones tallied nine saves on the afternoon.

Georgia Southwestern improves to 2-11-1 on the season, 1-7 in the PBC, while Clayton State falls to 5-7-1, 1-5-1 in the PBC.

The Hurricanes return to the pitch Saturday night as they travel to Francis Marion for a 7 p.m. match with a chance to keep their post season hopes alive.