The Lakeland women's soccer team played well, but was taken down by Northern Athletics Conference powerhouse Aurora University 3-0 on Sunday afternoon in Aurora, Ill.

The Spartans, who have yet to lose to an NAC opponent since the league began in 2006, converted on two scoring chances late in the first half to take a 2-0 lead on the Muskies (8-8, 4-5 NAC).

"We were unfortunate to go in at the half down 2-0," Lakeland head coach David Madsen said. "Aurora created a good pair of goals. We executed our game plan very well and definitely made them beat us with their best."

The Muskies could not get anything going in the second half, mustering just two shots in the half. The Spartans (13-4, 9-0) outshot the Muskies 24-4 for the contest.

Junior goalkeeper Leslie Oskey (Howards Grove) made nine saves for Lakeland.

"I was proud of our team, we really battled the whole way through in the second half," Madsen said. "That's going to be important to carry through to the next few games as we battle for a spot in the conference tournament."

Lakeland entered the contest in a three-way tie for sixth place in the conference standings with Maranatha Baptist and MSOE. The top six teams in the league move on to the tournament. As it stands, the Muskies would come up short due to head-to-head losses earlier this season against both teams.

The Muskies head to Mequon on Tuesday to face fourth-place Concordia Wisconsin at 3:30 p.m. Three matches remain for Lakeland in the regular season.