The Lakeland College women's soccer team made a late charge, scoring a goal in the final minutes and challenging for another before running out of time in a 2-1 loss to Benedictine (Ill.) University Saturday afternoon on the team's Senior Day.
Brooke Schaller (
Sr.-Howards Grove, Wis.) scored her first goal unassisted with 1:13 remaining in the match. The Muskies also had a last chance in the final seconds, but a shot by
Stephanie Rock (
Sr.-Niagara, Wis.) was stopped with three seconds left on the clock as the Eagles held on for the win.
The Muskies were competitive all day but were done in by two quick goals for the Eagles before settling in.
Benedictine scored the first goal 7:16 into the match when Paige Velez found Danielle Melotte on the left side, with Melotte putting it away for her sixth goal of the season. The Eagles then struck just 4:30 later as Velez was in the middle of the action again, passing to Megan Anderson for a goal and a 2-0 lead.
Lakeland was outshot 15-7 and put just four shots on goal, but three came in the second half as the Muskies' play picked up. Schaller put a shot on goal in the 64th minute and
Krystina Cook (
Sr.-Des Plaines, Ill.) sent a shot wide in the 73rd minute before the team's work finally paid off in the 89th minute on Schaller's shot from the left side.
Jessica Carter (
Jr.-Schaumburg, Ill.) made nine saves in goal for the Muskies, including five in the second half to keep Lakeland in the match. Benedictine goalkeeper Amanda Lozada made three saves to get the win.
Lakeland's four seniors were honored at halftime of the match, including Cook, Rock, Schaller and
Ali Thompson (
Sr.-Plymouth, Wis.). The Muskies have one more home match this season on Oct. 28 against Marian University, and the team now hits the road for three matches, starting with a trip to face Wisconsin Lutheran College on Wednesday at 7 p.m.