MORROW, GA. --- Senior forward Kevin Crooks scored three goals to lead Clayton State University to a 5-1 Peach Belt Conference victory over Francis Marion University, Saturday evening (Oct. 14) in men’s soccer action at Laker Field.

The loss drops Francis Marion to 3-10-1 overall and 1-5-1 in the PBC, while the victory was the fourth straight for Clayton State (8-7, 4-1).

Crooks scored the match’s lone goal in the first half off a breakaway feed from Jordan Gilbert in the 23rd minute.   In the Lakers’ last two games, Crooks has scored five goals.

FMU answered with its first goal in seven matches to tie the score at 1-1 in the second half. Sophomore Willie Hunt broke a scoreless drought that had reached 640:47 with a header off a Biagio Galle corner kick in the 56th minute.

With the score tied 1-1 midway through the second half, Clayton State put the game away with four unanswered goals.  Crooks put Clayton State ahead for good on a goal in the 59th minute off another assist by Gilbert. Two minutes later, the passing combination of Matthias Faublas and Crooks fed a streaking Hailab Habtom on the left side of the penalty box for a 10-yard scoring strike and 3-1 Laker lead.

Crooks scored his third goal of the game in the 65th minute off a feed cross from Angel Kalinov. Faublas then finished the Laker scoring with a goal in the 71st minute utilizing an assist by Junior Smith.

Clayton State goalkeepers Heath Padgett and Chris Cantrell combined for six saves in the victory, while sophomore Jeremy Crooks recorded five saves for Francis Marion.

Clayton State out shot FMU 19-16 and held an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks.

FMU plays at Catawba College, Tuesday at 7 p.m.