Charles Apostolik (Jr.-New Castle, Colo.) scored two goals to spearhead a second half comeback, but Wisconsin Lutheran College pulled away late to defeat the Lakeland University men's soccer team 5-2 Thursday night at Taylor Field.

The Muskies rallied from a 3-0 halftime deficit to get within a goal before the Warriors scored twice late. Lakeland still generated its best offensive showing of the season but dropped to 0-6 overall and lost its Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener, which was delayed one day after persistent lightning forced postponement of a match originally scheduled for Wednesday.

Apostolik scored his first goal of the season on an unusual play in the 59th minute. Goalkeeper Thomis Mannebach (Sr.-Florence, Wis.) kicked low past midfield, with the ball rolling between several defenders to Apostolik, who received it on the move, went through two defenders and blasted a shot from straight on for a quick strike goal.

It didn't take long for the Muskies junior forward to score again, after a handball was called in the WLC box. Apostolik took the penalty kick and converted it just 1 minute, 17 seconds after his first goal to suddenly cut the Warriors' lead to 3-2.

Apostolik would have several shots at the hat trick, but Lakeland would get no closer. As a low fog began to linger over the field, Wisconsin Lutheran (4-3-1 overall, 1-0 NACC) finally gained some separation in the 78th minute when Isaiah Gronholz fired a long throw-in to from the near sideline to the left side of the goal, and defender Kenneth Sutton headed it into the net.

The Warriors would add one final goal with 7:10 left in the match, with Gronholz involved again, receiving a crossing pass from Juan Serna and bicycling it behind him for the goal.

Wisconsin Lutheran scored three times in controlling play for most of the first half, including a penalty kick just 3:32 into the match after a Muskie inadvertently deflected a lightly contested cross pass in the box with his hand. The Warriors added goals in the 24th and 32nd minutes, and Mannebach had to make several tough saves to keep Lakeland within three at the break.

In addition to posting his first collegiate assist, Mannebach also finished with nine saves in the match. Apostolik was a thorn in WLC's side all night with forceful attacks, finishing with a match-high seven shot attempts, all on goal. John Bentler (So.-Seattle, Wash.) also added two shots from his outside midfielder position.

Erek Lehnen made five saves for the Warriors. Serna and Gronholz both finished with a goal and an assist each, while Ivan Herrera assisted on a pair of first-half goals for WLC, which outshot Lakeland 26-10.

The Muskies are home again Saturday when they host Concordia University Chicago for a 2 p.m. kickoff at Taylor Field.