DUE WEST-- Senior Tyrell Dyson (Grovetown, GA) scored with 13 minutes to play to give the Erskine men's soccer team their first victory of the season with a 3-2 shocker over Clayton State at Huggins Field on Wednesday night. The Fleet had been dismantled Saturday at Lees-McRae, 8-1 and fallen to 0-4-1 on the season coming into Wednesday's impressive performance.

The game started with an unusual and unique twist. Clayton State managed to make the trip from Georgia without their uniforms so the Lakers borrowed Erskine's travel uniforms. The two teams kicked-off with both wearing "Erskine" across the chest. It also appeared early Clayton State had left their 4-2 record at home as well. The Fleet pounced on the Lakers early. Erskine sophomore Graham Howard (Lexington, SC) headed the ball in the box to junior Nik Papapierus (Greenville, SC) who rocketed the pass past Clayton State goalie David Christofoli at 23:20 to put Erskine up 1-0. The goal appeared to wake up the Lakers who responded at 28:53 with a goal on a header by Leighton Fredericks on an assist from Brett Neilson. But five minutes later the Fleet responded when Howard hit a beautiful cross from the left wing that freshman Jack Kimber (Manchester, England) headed in the net pushing Erskine to a 2-1 halftime advantage.

Clayton State dominated the early part of the 2nd half, getting numerous opportunites before cashing in at 71:14 on a goal by Matthias Faublas. The two teams battled in a 2-2 deadock for five minutes before Dyson's heroics. Fleet freshman Matt Robinson (Manchester, England) broke past three Laker defenders in the middle of the field outside the penalty box then hit a perfect pass to a streaking Dyson for the game-winner at 76:50. Erskine held off the Lakers in the final minutes and even saw a Clayton State goal waved off with 1:53 to play on an offsides call.

Erskine freshman Devon Braykovich (Roswell, GA) had a fine game in goal. The rookie tallied six saves on the night as Clayton out-shot the Fleet, 12-8.

Erskine (1-4-1, 0-1) plays at home Saturday against Conference Carolinas foe Coker College at 4:00 pm.