Although the women's soccer team (8-7-1, 5-3-1 NAC) fell to Aurora University, 1-0, on Tuesday, Oct. 17, they played arguably one of their best games of the season.

To this point the Spartans have scored multiple goals against every other Northern Athletics Conference opponent they have played, but were only able to notch one against a tough Muskie defense.

"Our girls showed we were just as good as them today," said head coach Dave Madsen. "We had them pretty well figured out and were able to frustrate them for long stretches, but we couldn't execute on the final third of the field to get enough scoring opportunities."

Lakeland's back line weathered a brutal offensive attack from the Spartans of 24 total shot attempts for the game, 14 of which were on goal.

However, key defensive plays by junior sweeper Kelly Hopfinger, senior Allyce Maus, sophomore Jacqui Drexler and freshman Leslie Oskey kept the Muskies' net clear until the 32nd minute when a deflected shot found its way past senior goalkeeper Alli Weiss to put Aurora up indefinitely. In spite of the one goal Weiss put forth a stellar effort as well, racking up 13 saves for the game.

"It's a bit disappointing we had to wait until this point in the year to get motivated to play well," Madsen said. "But, team for team, we're as good as anyone in the conference and today proved it."

The Muskies had difficulty keeping the ball on the opponent's half of the field, and thus were only able to get off two shots for the game, with both coming in the second half.

"We were always half a step behind," Madsen said. "We created enough opportunities; we just weren't able to get on the end of it to score."

The squad will look to carry the hustle and effort displayed against Aurora into their game on Saturday, Oct. 21, against Dominican University, another top NAC team.

"I think today's game prepares us very well for Saturday," Madsen said. "We just have to press on and continue to improve."

Game time vs. Dominican is set for 3 p.m. in River Forest, Ill.