Morrow, Ga. – The Auburn Montgomery men's soccer team relied heavily on a stifling defensive effort in the second half after tallying a pair of first-half goals to pick up a 2-1 road win at Clayton State on Friday, Sept. 10. 
 
The win improves AUM's 2021 record to 2-1, while bolstering their series record against the Lakers to 3-2.
 
Clayton State drew first blood in the contest with a 15th-minute goal on a set piece, but the Warhawks would respond 17 minutes later on a Charlie Elliott goal via a corner kick from Renan Diniz. Elliot's 32nd-minute strike rattled off a Laker defender before finding the back of the net. 
 
Freshman Juan del Castillo delivered what would go on to be the game-winning goal in minute number 42 off a crisp pass into the box from redshirt-freshman Elijah Saint-Marc.
 
"We're delighted to get a big region win against a top side in Clayton State," Head Coach Matthew Thorne said. "Our lads went through some adversity this week and every one of them showed up to fight for each other tonight."
 
Del Castillo took a game-high three shots on the evening, with all three shots coming on frame. Charlie Elliott, Phillip Spickenbaum, and Renan Diniz all took a pair of shots while Arnaud Baron, Jabari Broussard, and Diniz each added a shot on goal.
 
In goal, Alexander Kraus upped his 2021 record to 2-1-0 while grabbing four saves on the night.
 
As a team, AUM outshot Clayton State 11-9, with six shots on goal to the Clippers' five.  
 
The men's soccer team will return to action on Friday, Sept. 17 when they host Mississippi College for their first Gulf South Conference contest of 2021. Match time from the AUM Soccer Complex is set for 7:30 p.m. 
 
For the latest on AUM athletics, find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.