MORROW, GA. – Sophomore Kyle Clinton scored an unassisted goal in the 60th minute and Francis Marion University went on to earn a 1-1 overtime tie with 13th-ranked Clayton State University, spoiling the Lakers’ Homecoming Saturday night (Oct. 27).

Both teams were playing their final regular-season matches of 2007.  Coupled with USC Aiken’s 3-1 loss at UNC Pembroke, Clayton State (12-3-2, 4-1-1) still wins its third straight Peach Belt Conference championship and the No. 1 seed in next weekend’s PBC Tournament at Laker Field.

Scrappy Francis Marion frustrated the Lakers all game long, packing all 11 players deep on defense and not allowing Clayton State any clear shot at the goal. In fact, the final statistics were one-sided as Clayton State dominated in shots 31-4.

However, the Patriots cashed in on one of those four shots in the 60th minute when Clinton scored off a loose ball following a corner kick to give the Patriots a 1-0 lead.

Clayton State got the needed equalizer with 4:49 remaining. Goalkeeper Billy Hale drop kicked a great incoming pass to B.J. Livingston at the top of the penalty box. Livingston then headed the ball to left and Tonny Madegwa punched home the goal past Patriot goalkeeper Clark Richeson.

Neither team threatened much in the overtime until the final seconds when Laker freshman Jamal Geathers broke through the Francis Marion defense and had a clear shot at the game-winner. However, his shot hit the crossbar with 12 seconds remaining.

Richeson, in only his fifth match, registered a career-high 13 saves. Hale and Janiel Simon combined for two saves for Clayton State.

Francis Marion (5-11-1, 1-4-1) plays a first-round PBC Tournament match at UNCP on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.   Clayton State draws a bye as the number one seed to Friday’s semifinal round, in which they will play host to the winner of the North Georgia-USC-Aiken quarterfinal winner.