AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team lost a 5-1 decision to Clayton State Wednesday evening.

The Pacers are now 1-14 on the season, including an 0-11 ledger in league play. The Lakers improve to 8-6-2 on the year, including a 7-3-1 mark against conference foes.

The visitors jumped on top after a foul in the box in the fifth minute. The foul resulted in a penalty kick the team converted for a 1-0 lead. Three minutes later Clayton State pushed the score to 2-0.

Head coach Ike Ofoje's squad blasted a shot in the 14^th minute of play by Pablo Corcuera, but it was saved by the keeper. A minute later, Lucas Pegorer rocketed an attempt after a corner kick, but it too was saved.

Wynston Johnson's attempt was blocked, but Uri-Malcolm Young's header was narrowly thwarted by the keeper as the score stayed at 2-0 heading into the second half. 

The Lakers tacked on three quick goals before the midway point of the second half, but Ofoje's squad continued to apply pressure and push forward.

The Pacers had a pair of golden opportunities, but the Lakers' keeper was up for the challenge. However, USC Aiken broke through with a brilliant goal in the 86^th minute. Davide Panucci played a long ball to Pegorer, who beat the keeper one-on-one with a defender on his heels, making it 5-1.

For the match, USC Aiken tallied 16 shots, with 13 coming on target. The Pacers accounted for seven corner kicks against just one for the visitors.

Individually, Panucci had three shots on goal. Daniel Ailemen, Pegorer and Young had two shots on goal apiece. Corcuera and Jaymee Kambel had one shot on goal each.

Joey Valenti played all 90 minutes between the pipes and accounted for six saves. 

The Pacers return to action Saturday when they play at North Georgia at 4 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.