ST. AUGUSTINE - The second-seeded Flagler College men's soccer team shut out the third-seeded Clayton State University, 3-0, to advance to its fifth Peach Belt Conference Championship. The Saints were powered by a strong offensive effort from Dan McGuire (2g, 1a) to extend their win streak to five games.
 
Flagler (10-3-3, 8-2-2) got on the board first in the 20th minute. McGuire crossed the ball into the right side of the box, allowing Liam Fisch to drive a shot across the goal area into the lower left corner of the net.
 
The Lakers (10-5-4, 7-3-2) came out of halftime putting high-pressure Flagler's defensive end after only taking six shots in the first half. Flagler took eight shots in the first 45 minutes and did not let Clayton State's pressure slow the team down.
 
In the 77th minute, McGuire made it a 2-0 game after Jonas Schmitt sent a feed from the top left corner of the box to McGuire who scored from the edge of the goal area. McGuire netted his second goal of the game in the 89th minute after dribbling the ball up the field and taking the keeper one-on-one to seal Flagler's 3-0 victory.
 
Goalkeeper Tirso Trueba had an incredible game making eight crucial saves for the Saints. He was supported by Flagler's strong defense which made a team save to help Trueba earn his sixth shutout of the season.
 
Flagler had a 14-13 edge in shots, while Clayton State had a 9-5 advantage in shots on goal and a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.
 
The Saints travel to Greenwood, South Carolina to face first-seeded Lander University in the PBC Championship, Sunday, Nov. 6. Flagler is on the hunt for its third PBC Tournament Title after previously winning in 2011 and the spring of 2021.