Dalton Men's Soccer Scores Tough Home Win Against St. Thomas

Sunday, September 16, 2018

The Dalton State Men's Soccer team got a late goal from junior Daniel Valenciano to score a physical 2-1 win over Sun Conference member St.

Thomas (Fla.) at Lakeshore Park Soccer Complex in Dalton on Saturday.

St. Thomas would be the first team to try to strike, taking an opportunity at goal. They would have a shot go wide and Dalton State would jump on the Bobcats next. A Frank Herrera shot would miss its mark and the teams would continue to trade scoring chances for the remainder of the first period. Good looks from both squads would continually be stopped as the teams would head into the break in a scoreless tie.

The Roadrunners would waste no time getting started in the second half, pushing the ball down field and looking to get on the board. They would strike first in the 58' when a corner kick would bounce off the hands of Bobcat goalkeeper Mike Marx. Devaughn Clarke would see the rebound and head it in for the 1-0 Roadrunner lead.

The second half would continue to be entertaining as both teams kept pushing for goals. St. Thomas would strike next and even the score at 1-1 when Lasse Lahrtz snuck a rebound in the crowded area around goal past Samuel Fraire in the 74'.

With time winding down and both teams clinging to chances, Dalton State would find the back of the net when a Santiago Moore corner kick found Daniel Valenciano who headed it in for the game winner. The Roadrunners who hold defensively the rest of the way for the 2-1 victory.

Dalton State improves to 4-3-1 overall, while St. Thomas falls to 2-4 overall (1-0 SUN) with the loss. Daniel Valenciano collects his fourth goal of the season, while Devaughn Clarke got his first career goal. Santiago Moore collected his first assist of the year.

The Dalton State Men's Soccer team will be in action again on Thursday, September 27 when they take on #5 Mobile (Ala.) at Lakeshore Park in Dalton. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.