MUST SEE GAMES--2006-2007 DEBUT

D-II South Sports begins its third season of "Must See Games", with previews of at least one women's game and/or one men's game. So, what are we waiting for? Let's get started!

Click on the highlighted link (s) to listen to the live audio webcast, or to view live stats.

TOP MEN'S GAME

Clayton State (1-0) at North Alabama (2-2)

Monday 7 p.m. CST

The Peach Belt Conference pre-season favorite Lakers travel to Florence, Ala. for their first real test this season, as they face the Gulf South Conference Lions. Clayton State opened its season with an 83-53 rout of Southeastern Tuesday, November 21, while UNA dropped a pair of close games in South Florida over the Thanksgiving weekend, losing 108-107 to Nova Southeastern Friday, and 71-69 to Barry on Saturday.

2006-07 BASKETBALL PREVIEW--MEN'S PREDICTIONS

Our 2006-2007 basketball previews at D-II South Sports wrap up with a quick preview and analysis of the men's teams.

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE

Click here for the preseason predictions.

Analysis: The GSC will play with two fewer schools this season, as Central Arkansas has left for the NCAA Division I ranks, while Lincoln Memorial has moved to the South Atlantic Conference. Still, many of the so-called "experts" think Montevallo could win their third conference title in the last four seasons. In the West Division, Harding was the surprise favorite to finish on top there, followed by Arkansas-Monticello and Delta State.

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE

Click here for the preseason predictions.

Analysis: Clayton State earned the nod as the preseason favorite to win the PBC regular season crown for the second straight season, as the Lakers received seven of 10 first place votes. The only problem is, the Clayton State men haven't been able to get over the hump, and into the NCAA Division II tournament, despite having one of the winningest active coaches in the nation in Gordon Gibbons, who enters his sixth season as the Lakers head coach. Also, don't count out Armstrong Atlantic State, Columbus State, or outgoing USC Upstate either. The Spartans will depart for the D-I ranks after this season. Also, Georgia Southwestern State joins former NAIA rival North Georgia for its inaugural PBC season.

SIAC

Click here for the preseason predictions.

Analysis: Expect the SIAC to be very competitive from top to bottom, as Paine College was picked as the favorite to win the title. But teams like Benedict, Morehouse, and Albany State also could give the Lions a run for their money.

FALL SPORTS POSTSEASON UPDATE

After winning both the Gulf South Conference and NCAA Division II South Central Regional titles, the University of North Alabama volleyball team moved to one step closer to playing a national championship Friday, as the nationally sixth-ranked Lions downed tenth-ranked Ashland (Ohio) 3-0 to advance to Saturday's national semifinal. UNA will play the winner of the Lock Haven-West Texas A&M match this weekend at Pensacola, Fla.

Gulf South Conference Press Release

Meanwhile, just across town at Brosnaham Park, the University of West Florida men's soccer team's hopes of winning a national title in front of the home crowd disappeared in heartbreaking fashion, as top-ranked Dowling rallied from a two-goal deficit in two minutes to eliminate in Argonauts in overtime Thursday night. The match was tied 3-3 at the end of regulation and overtime, but Dowling outscored UWF 5-4 on penalty kicks to advance to Saturday's title match. With the loss, the Argonauts season ended with a 20-1-3 record.

Gulf South Conference Press Release

2006-2007 BASKETBALL PREVIEW--GSC WEST, PEACH BELT, SIAC WOMEN

Predicted orders of finish are courtesy of the respective conferences.

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE WEST DIVISION

1. Delta State

2. Henderson State

3. Arkansas Tech

4. Harding

5. Ouachita Baptist

6. Southern Arkansas

7. Christian Brothers

8. Arkansas-Monticello

Analysis: After sharing the division title with each other last season, both Delta State and Henderson State expect to make the GSC West a two-team race again this year. The Lady Reddies, though, have the edge in the national preseason rankings as the season begins, as they are ranked seventh in the WBCA Division II poll, while the Lady Statesmen are ranked 13th.

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE

Click here for the preseason predictions.

Analysis: With back-to-back trips to the NCAA tournament under its belt, Clayton State hopes to turn a postseason hat trick in 2007. But the Laker women will have plenty of suitors that want to put up a challenge for the PBC regular season title, including defending tournament champion Georgia College & State University.

SIAC

Click here for the preseason predictions.

Analysis: After finishing conference play a perfect 20-0 last season, Fort Valley State is expected to win the regular season title again this year. The Lady Wildcats come into the season ranked 22nd in the WBCA D-II poll.

2006-2007 BASKETBALL PREVIEW--GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE EAST DIVISION WOMEN

Like the old saying goes, it might be late, but better late than never, as D-II South Sports has the first of multiple installments of its 2006-2007 basketball preview. Leading things off are the women's teams in the Gulf South Conference.

Predicted order of finish is courtesy of the Gulf South Conference

Valdosta State: After finishing 18-10 last season, and falling to Henderson State in the quarterfinals of the Gulf South Conference tournament, the Lady Blazers hope to return to the top of the GSC East this year. The VSU women will be tested early and often, as they face squads such as Nova Southeastern, Florida Gulf Coast, Clayton State, and Bowie State in the pre-conference schedule.

Alabama-Huntsville: The Lady Chargers hope to take another step towards being one of the conference's elite programs after a 14-13 overall, and 9-5 finish in GSC East action last season. UAH saw its season end with an embarassing 52-28 loss to Delta State in the GSC tournament.

West Florida: The Lady Argonauts look to make a return trip to the NCAA Division II tournament after finishing 23-7 last season, falling to Henderson State in the South regional semifinal. But they'll have to do it with the multitude of seniors that got them there now having graduated.

West Georgia: After finishing 19-10 in their final season as the Braves, the UWG women will begin their first season as the Wolves.

West Alabama: The Lady Tigers hope to improve on a disappointing 13-16 record, which included a 7-7 mark in GSC East games.

North Alabama: The Lady Lions have nowhere to go but up after a dismal 5-22 finish last season.

Montevallo: The Falcons also find themselves fighting an uphill battle after finishing 7-20 a year ago, tied with UNA, and former GSC member Lincoln Memorial for last place in the East Division at 3-11.

FALL SPORTS POSTSEASON UPDATE

In case you missed it, here's how some of the postseason action turned out for some of the fall sports teams in D-II South Nation.

Getting things underway on the soccer field, both University of West Florida squads played for the opportunity to advance to the national quarterfinals, with the men's team playing in the NCAA Division II soccer version of the "Elite Eight" for the first time ever, as the Argonauts downed Lynn University 2-1 in the South Regional final last Sunday. The Argos (19-1-2) will host Queens University (N.C.) in Saturday's quarterfinal round match at 4 p.m. CST. As for the UWF women, however, it was anything but a happy ending, as the Argonauts fell to nationally fifth-ranked Tampa 2-0. The loss snapped an 11-match unbeaten streak for West Florida, ending its season with 15-3-3 mark.

The news wasn't all bad for UWF athletics, though, as the volleyball team, in its first-ever NCAA
tournament appearance, upset second-seeded Washburn in a three-game sweep (30-25, 30-27, 30-25) in the South Central Regional Thursday. The seventh-seeded Argos will face third-seeded Central Missouri State in Friday's second round action at Kirksville, Mo. Friday.

In other volleyball postseason action, the Lady Pacers of USC Aiken won the Peach Belt Conference tournament over Armstrong Atlantic State last Saturday, but saw their run in the NCAA tournament come to an abrupt end at 28-7, as Florida Gulf Coast swept USCA 3-0. FGCU is in its final season of NCAA Division II action, and will join former PBC members Kennesaw State, North Florida, and USC Upstate in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference in 2007.

Log on to www.ncaasports.com for recaps on other action involving teams in conferences covered by D-II South Sports.

FALL SPORTS POSTSEASON UPDATE

AASU VOLLEYBALL ADVANCES TO CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Pirates to face USC Aiken in Peach Belt Conference tournament final

FULL STORY

PBC WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAMS ELIMINATED FROM NCAA TOURNAMENT

Armstrong Atlantic State and Columbus State both see their squads respective seasons end on a sour note in the first round of the NCAA Division II tournament at Jefferson City, Tenn. Friday. AASU was shutout by Tusculum 1-0, while CSU fell to Carson-Newman 2-1.

BEARCATS FALL IN SHOOTOUT

It was a rough day for the Peach Belt Conference men's teams as well, as both Lander and USC Upstate were eliminated from the NCAA tournament Friday at Greenwood, S.C. The Bearcats battled Queens to a scoreless tie after regulation, only to lose 2-1 in the shootout. As for the Spartans, their run as an NCAA Division II member ended in overtime, as they lost to Limestone 3-2, also on penalty kicks after going scoreless through regulation. USC Upstate begins the transition to NCAA Division I status in 2007.

WEST FLORIDA SOCCER MARCHES ON

Both University of West Florida soccer teams advanced to the finals of the NCAA Division II South Region tournament with wins on Friday. In Tampa, the UWF women needed a goal by Summer Savage with 30 seconds left in regulation to force overtime at 1-1. The Argonauts carried the momentum from that tying goal into the shootout, as they outscore St. Leo 7-6 to advance.

On the men's side, the Argos also had to go to a shootout in their match against fellow Gulf South Conference rival Montevallo at Pensacola, Fla. Friday. The contest was tied 2-2 after regulation, as well as two overtime periods before UWF outscored the Falcons 4-1 in the shootout to advance to Sunday's final match (second round).

The UWF women face top-seeded Tampa in one second round match, while the West Florida men will take on second-seeded and nationally 12th ranked Lynn in a similar contest.

2006-07 BASKETBALL PREVIEW--OPENING TIP

NOTE: D-II South Sports starts its third season of basketball coverage with a brief look at the Disney Division II Tip-Off classic this weekend. A preview of the Gulf South and Peach Belt Conferences, as well as the SIAC, will soon follow. So, sit back, and enjoy!

LADY SAINTS TO PARTICIPATE IN DISNEY CLASSIC

After going 23-4 overall, 19-1 in Peach Belt Conference play, and winning the regular season title in your inaugural season of the league, what do the Lady Saints of North Georgia College & State University do for an encore? Play a tougher schedule. That's what head coach Buffie Burson and her squad will do this weekend, as the Lady Saints travel to Orlando, Fla. for the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic.

The North Georgia women will open the classic against preseason #1 North Dakota Friday, followed by Texas A&M-Commerce Saturday, and wrapping up with a game against Lock Haven (Pa.) Sunday. The Lady Saints return six letterwinners from last season, but have no seniors.

Official NGCSU Women's Basketball Website

NCAA SOCCER TOURNAMENT SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED

The selections for the 2006 NCAA Division II soccer championships have been announced, and once again, D-II South Nation is well represented, as both the Gulf South and Peach Belt Conferences sent a combined seven teams to regional competition starting Friday.

In the women's bracket, the PBC sent tournament champion Columbus State and runner-up Armstrong Atlantic State to the Southeast Regional, while West Florida was the lone GSC squad to advance to the South Regional. CSU and AASU are both making their first-ever appearances in the NCAA tournament.

On the men's side, PBC regular-season and tournament champion Lander joins soon to be former PBC foe USC Upstate in the Southeast Regional, which the Bearcats will host, while UWF will battle fellow GSC rival Montevallo in a first round match in the South Regional at Pensacola, Fla.

Here are the pairings for the Southeast and South Regionals as follows. Teams in conferences covered by D-II South Sports are marked in BOLD type.

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL WOMEN--at Jefferson City, Tenn. (Carson-Newman)

Friday, Nov. 3

FIRST ROUND

Carson-Newman (13-1-1) vs. Columbus State (18-3-1)

Tusculum (12-2-3) vs. Armstrong Atlantic State (18-3-1)

Sunday, Nov. 5

SECOND ROUND

First round winners

SOUTH REGIONAL WOMEN--at Tampa, Fla. (University of Tampa)

Friday, Nov. 3

FIRST ROUND

Tampa (15-2-1) vs. Nova Southeastern (11-3-2)

West Florida (15-2-2) vs. St. Leo (14-3-1)

Sunday, Nov. 5

SECOND ROUND

First round winners

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL MEN--at Greenwood, S.C. (Lander University)

FIRST ROUND

Friday, Nov. 3

Lander (16-3) vs. Queens (N.C.)--(11-4-2)

USC Upstate (12-3-2) vs. Limestone (13-2-5)

SECOND ROUND

Sunday, Nov. 5

First round winners

SOUTH REGIONAL MEN--at Pensacola, Fla.

FIRST ROUND

Friday, Nov. 3

West Florida (18-1-1) vs. Montevallo (14-5)

Rollins (13-5) vs. Lynn (14-1)

SECOND ROUND

Sunday, Nov. 5

First round winners

Complete women's bracket

Complete men's bracket

WEST FLORIDA SWEEPS GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE SOCCER TITLES

Photo captions: (TOP): Keith Savage had two goals to go with two assists in West Florida's 4-1 win over Montevallo in the Gulf South Conference men's soccer tournament championship game at Pensacola, Fla. on Sunday, October 29, 2006.

(BOTTOM): Brandi Adams scored her team's only goal in the second half, but that proved to be enough, as West Florida defeated Ouachita Baptist 1-0 in the title match of the Gulf South Conference women's soccer tournament at Pensacola, Fla. on Sunday, October 29, 2006.

Photos courtesy of University of West Florida Sports Information

Sunday was a very good day to be a University of West Florida Argonaut, at least on the soccer field, as both the men's and women's soccer teams swept the championship matches of the Gulf South Cofnerence tournament at Pensacola, Fla.

The top-seeded UWF women, who are currently ranked 11th in the nation, edged Ouachita Baptist 1-0, while the UWF men, also a top seed going into the GSC tournament, as well as the nation's fifth-ranked team at the NCAA Division II level, won its fourth straight tourney title with a 4-1 rout over third-seeded Montevallo in the men's title match.

Complete recaps courtesy of the University of West Florida

Women: UWF 1, OBU 0

Men: UWF 4, UM 1

HAT TRICK!--LANDER WINS THIRD STRAIGHT PBC MEN'S SOCCER TITLE

The Bearcats of Lander University reign supreme once again in the Peach Belt Conference men's soccer tournament, as they downed USC-Aiken 1-0 to win their straight tournament title.

Click here for a full recap, courtesy of the Peach Belt Conference.

COLUMBUS STATE WOMEN'S SOCCER WINS PBC TITLE IN SHOOTOUT

Photo Caption: Columbus State wins 2006 Peach Belt Conference Women's Soccer Tournament

Courtesy of the Peach Belt Conference

Columbus, GA - It took 110 minutes of play and eight extra kicks before the 2006 Peach Belt Conference Women's Soccer Tournament title was decided here Sunday. Columbus State and Armstrong Atlantic State battled to a 1-1 tie after two overtime periods before Columbus State won the title in a penalty kick shootout. CSU converted four of its attempts in the shootout while AASU made good on only two.

AASU (18-3-1) came out in the first half and took the game to the top-seeded Lady Cougars, basically beating CSU at its own game. The Pirates dominated in shots, getting off 12 in the half to just six for CSU and forced most of the action to take place on their offensive end.

Jamie Craine tallied the first goal of the game firing a shot inside the left post and past a diving Monica Sanchez for a 1-0 lead. The goal came in the 24th minute of play. Sanchez would record five saves during the remainder of the half, helping to keep her team in the game.

Krystin Mills, the lone senior for CSU, got the equalizer for the Lady Cougars at the 38-minute mark. She took a feed from Gina Goforth which had caromed off a defender and hammered it off the lower body of Pirate keeper Tarra Kohler and into the left side of the net to make it 1-1. Kohler finished the first half with two saves.

CSU took command of the pace of play in the second half and quickly erased the deficit in shots, peppering Kohler and the AASU defense with shots. The Lady Cougars had several opportunities to score, even having three shots hit the post. CSU posted 10 shots in the second half and Kohler came up with two more saves to preserve the tie. Sanchez was also equal to the task, collecting two saves in regulation and two more in the first overtime.

CSU got off three shots in overtime, one of which hit the post off the foot of Goforth, while AASU took a pair of shots. Each team had a shot in the second extra frame.

AASU won the toss and kicked first in the shootout. CSU coach Jay Entlich inserted freshman Kelly Nimmo in goal for the shootout and she was beaten on the first shot by Shana Neves. Kellie Myles then tied the score with the first CSU shot. Craine was next up for AASU and Nimmo came up big for CSU, stuffing the shot with a diving save. Lindsey Morgan then gave CSU a 2-1 advantage with her kick.

Jessica Chipple's shot then struck the crossbar for AASU, and CSU was able to take a 3-1 advantage as Goforth made her shot for the Lady Cougars. Ashley Elam pulled the Pirates to within one as she converted her shot, but Sarah Hawkins ended it with a low shot past Kohler into the right side of the net for the win.

Goforth was named the PBC Tournament MVP for CSU as she scored a goal and had two assists in the two games. CSU placed four players on the All-Tournament squad in addition to Goforth, while AASU placed three players on the squad. *(See full listing of All-Tournament team below)*Both squads will now await word on possible berths into the NCAA Southeast Regional next week.

Carson-Newman won the South Atlantic Conference tournament on Sunday and appears in the driver's seat with the other three spots to be determined by the region committee on Monday.

2006 PBC All-Tournament Team

Ali Caton - GC & SU

Melanie Cobb - UNC Pembroke

Kelly Curran - North Georgia

Annie Whitley - USC Aiken

Santana DeFreitas - USC Upstate

Jamie Young - USC Upstate

Loretta Ashu - Clayton State

Lairin King - Clayton State

Lyndsi Stricklen - Armstrong Atlantic State

Jamie Craine - Armstrong Atlantic State

Ginny Child - Armstrong Atlantic State

Hillary Holder - Columbus State

Megan Honig - Columbus State

Kellie Myles - Columbus State

Gina Goforth (MVP) - Columbus State

Source: Columbus State University Sports Information and Peach Belt Conference

SOCCER POSTSEASON UPDATE

It's the last weekend of October, which means only one thing! Post-season play has arrived for a mere handful of soccer teams in D-II South Nation. So, without further ado, let's do a quick recap of what happened so far in both the Gulf South Conference and Peach Belt Conference tournaments, respectively.

Starting with the Gulf South Conference tourney, the University of West Florida women's soccer team advanced to Sunday's championship match with a 5-0 win over West Georgia. The top-seeded Argonauts (14-2-2) will face second-seeded Ouachita Baptist (12-4). The Tigers advanced to the title game with a 1-0 shutout win over Harding.

On the men's side, fourth-seeded Alabama-Huntsville gave top-seeded UWF all it could handle, but the Argonauts still managed to pull out a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Chargers Friday night. The Argos (17-1-1) will face third-seeded Montevallo (14-4) in Sunday's title game. The Falcons stunned second-seeded Christian Brothers 2-1 in overtime.

In the Peach Belt Conference women's tournament at Columbus, Ga., the top-seeded Lady Cougars from Columbus State University had a relatively easy time against fifth-seeded USC Upstate, as they rolled past the Spartans 4-0 in one semifinal match. In the other semifinal game, second-seeded Armstrong Atlantic State needed 81 minutes to score, but that lone goal would prove to be enough, as the Pirates eliminated third-seeded Clayton State 1-0. That sets up a showdown be the top two seeds in Sunday's final match, as CSU battles AASU in a battle of 18-3 teams.

In PBC men's tournament action at Greenwood, S.C., both teams advanced to Sunday's championship game by identical 2-1 scores, as top-seeded Lander (15-3) got by fourth-seeded USC Upstate, while third seed USC Aiken upended second seed Clayton State. The match was originally scheduled to be played Saturday, but poor field conditions forced it to be moved to Sunday.

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE SOCCER TOURNAMENT

It only seemed like yesterday, or more like late August, that the 2006 soccer season got underway for squads in the Gulf South Conference. Now for at least eight teams still playing, their season comes down to at least one match, as the Gulf South Conference soccer championships will start Friday in Pensacola, Fla. The nationally ranked teams from the University of West Florida both enter the GSC tourney as top seeds in their respective brackets.

Here are the pairings as follows. All times are Central.

WOMEN'S BRACKET

Friday, October 27

#3 Harding vs. #2 Ouachita Baptist--11 a.m.
#4 West Georgia vs. #1 West Florida--1:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 29

Championship Match

Semifinal winners--11 a.m.

For tournament information, please click here.

MEN'S BRACKET

Friday, October 27

#3 Montevallo vs. #2 Christian Brothers--4:30 p.m.
#4 Alabama-Huntsville vs. #1 West Florida--7 p.m.

Sunday, October 29

Championship Match

Semifinal winners--1:30 p.m.

Click here for previews, live stats, and more.

PBC WOMEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT RECAP

The top two seeds in the Peach Belt Conference women's soccer tournament advanced, but not without major struggles. Both top-seeded Columbus State and second-seeded Armstrong Atlantic State advanced to the semi-final round with respective 1-0 wins over eighth-seeded GC&SU and seventh-seeded UNC Pembroke. The other two first-round matches also ended in shutouts, as fifth-seeded USC Upstate also did the 1-0 thing, as the Spartans eliminated fourth-seeded, while third-seeded Clayton State was the only team to win going away, routing sixth-seeded North Georgia 4-0.

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE WOMEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT

The Peach Belt Conference women's soccer tournament starts Wednesday with four first round matches at four separate on-campus sites. All start times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

#8 Georgia College & State University at #1 Columbus State--4 p.m.

#7 UNC Pembroke at #2 Armstrong Atlantic State--3 p.m.

#6 North Georgia at #3 Clayton State--4 p.m.

#5 USC Upstate at #4 USC Aiken--7 p.m.

For more information, click here.

CLAYTON STATE ELIMINATES FRANCIS MARION, ADVANCES IN PBC TOURNAMENT

MORROW, Ga. --- OCTOBER 24, 2006 --- Not even a broken hand was going to keep Hailab Habtom from stepping to the forefront for the Clayton State Laker men’s soccer team on Tuesday.

Playing host to Francis Marion in the quarterfinals of the 2006 Peach Belt Conference Tournament, Habtom recorded a hat trick and the Lakers cruised to a convincing 5-1 victory over Francis Marion at Laker Field. With his three goals, Habtom is now tied with senior forward Kevin Crooks for the team lead in goals scored with nine.

The victory advances Clayton State (10-8) to the Peach Belt Tournament semifinals on Friday at 2:30 p.m. against USC-Aiken at Lander. The victory also gives the Lakers their ninth season of 10 or more victories, including the last eight straight.

Habtom scored twice in the first half to give Clayton State a 2-0 lead. He intercepted a clearing pass from Francis Marion goalkeeper Jeremy Crooks just outside the penalty box, split three defenders and hammered home the goal from 12 yards out in the 20th minute. Six minutes later, the junior midfielder recorded another steal in the penalty box and maneuvered himself for a 10-yard scoring strike from the left side of the goal.

Habtom finished off his hat trick in the 48th minute on a flicker off a cross pass from Mattias Faublas. However, the Lakers were far from finished.

Freshman Ryan Townson scored his first collegiate goal in the 74th minute, taking a pass from Daniel English down the left flank and penetrating for a 10-yard scoring strike. Then in the 87th minute, Faublas scored off a deflection from Patriot goalkeeper Nick Krywyi.

Jonathan Bartomioli scored the lone goal in the 86th minute for Francis Marion (4-12-1). Laker goalkeepers Heath Padgett and Chris Cantrell combined for one save in the victory.

Source: Clayton State University Sports Information

Click on the following links for recaps of other first round action from the Peach Belt Conference men's soccer tournament Tuesday night.

Lander 2, Georgia Southwestern 1

USC Aiken 2, North Georgia 1 (2 OT)

USC Upstate 3, UNC Pembroke 0

PBC MEN'S SOCCER TOURNEY STARTS TUESDAY

After an amazingly competitive regular season which saw all eight teams suffer at least two losses in conference play, as well as earn at least one draw, the Peach Belt Conference men's soccer tournament will get underway at four on-campus sites Tuesday. Lander (13-3) earned the #1 seed for the tournament after shutting out North Georgia 5-0, while Clayton State (9-8) fell to USC Upstate 1-0 to settle for the #2 seed. Both matches were played on Saturday. Both the Lakers and Bearcats shared the PBC regular season title with identical 5-2 league records.

Here are the pairings for the PBC men's soccer tournament as follows, with the semifinals and finals to be held at the site of the highest remaining seed. All first round matches will start at 7 p.m. EDT Tuesday. All matches are listed in bracket order.

#8 Georgia Southwestern at #1 Lander

#7 Francis Marion at #2 Clayton State

#6 North Georgia at #3 USC Aiken

#5 UNC Pembroke at #4 USC Upstate

CLAYTON STATE MEN'S SOCCER NIPS USC-AIKEN

MORROW, Ga. --- OCTOBER 18, 2006 --- Lightning struck twice for the Clayton State Laker men’s soccer team and forward Kevin Crooks.

Last week, the senior scored the game-winner in overtime as Clayton State knocked off Georgia Southwestern. Fast forward one week later on Wednesday night and the scenario was the same – Crooks scored the game-winning goal in the 105th minute of the second overtime, giving Clayton State a thrilling 2-1 victory over 25th-ranked USC-Aiken at Laker Field.

The victory, coupled with USC-Upstate’s shocking 1-0 double-overtime defeat against North Georgia, assured Clayton State (9-7, 5-1) of at least a tie for the Peach Belt Conference regular season championship.

It was an exclamation point for Crooks on Senior Night as he and fellow Laker seniors Andre Rall, Heath Padgett, Todd Denson, Steve Weston and Junior Smith played their final regular season games at Laker Field.

After a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation and a scoreless first overtime period, Clayton State got the break it needed in the second overtime. Johnny Lara ran down a loose ball and fed a pass to Hailab Habtom at midfield. Habtom then found Crooks on a breakaway pass down the right sideline for a 12-yard strike past Pacer goalkeeper Harold Tate for the game-winner.

Clayton State took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute as Habtom scored on a header off a cross pass from Rall. However, USC-Aiken (9-5-2, 3-1-2) converted the equalizer on a goal by Adam Lambert in the 68th minute.

Clayton State 16 shots to 11 for USC-Aiken.

Clayton State can wrap up its second straight outright Peach Belt championship on Saturday at 7 p.m. at USC-Upstate.

Source: Clayton State University Sports Information

MUST SEE MATCH-UPS

KEY: Volleyball--RED Women's Soccer--BLUE Men's Soccer--GREEN

Most important matches are in BOLD type.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

USC Aiken (9-4-2, 3-0-2) at Clayton State (8-7, 4-1)--5 p.m. EDT

(It's the Lakers playing host to the Pacers in this crucial Peach Belt Conference men's soccer match)