EVANS, Ga. | Young Harris College scored twice in the first half as the No. 1-ranked Mountain Lions defeated Clayton State University 2-1 in the title match of the Peach Belt Conference Men's Soccer Tournament Sunday (Nov. 14) afternoon at Blanchard Woods Park.

Young Harris, who improved to 17-0-1 overall, claimed their fifth PBC Tournament title in program history and earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II National Tournament that starts next weekend. Clayton State ended its season at 9-8-2.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• All-PBC Tournament performer Mikkel Goling gave the Mountain Lions a 1-0 lead on his team-leading 12th goal at the 25:07 mark. Goling's strike was set up by Val Feeney's cross off a direct kick.
• Three minutes later Edoardo Righetti's first goal of 2021 double the lead for Young Harris. Tony Barry's cross set up the insurance goal.
• Clayton State got a goal back in the 57th minute off an Isaac Pimenta goal.
• All-PBC Tournament perfomer Eduardo D'Avino recorded three saves in goal for the Mountain Lions.
• Also named to the All-PBC Tournament team was defender Federico Gutierrez, while co-PBC Player of the Year Yesin van der Pluijm also claimed the Tournament MVP.
• YHC outshot Clayton State 13-9 (11-4 on goal) and held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.
• Young Harris also won Peach Belt Tournament titles in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018.
• The NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament Selection Show will be Monday (Nov. 15) at 6:30 p.m. where the 40-team field will be announced.

All-Tournament Team

Michael Walsh, North Georgia
Jack Malleret, Georgia Southwestern
Jonah Miller, Lander
Max Landau, Lander
Paul Hansen, Flagler
Axel Nolgren, Flagler
Joel McIlroy, Clayton State
Alexis Iturria, Clayton State
Niall Swan, Clayton State
Mikkel Goling, Young Harris
Federico Guiterrez, Young Harris
Eduardo D’Avino, Young Harris

Tournament Most Valuable Player
Yesin van der Pluijm, Young Harris