Wisconsin Lutheran College scored two early goals and the Lakeland University women's soccer team never could catch up the rest of the way in a 3-1 loss Wednesday night at Taylor Field in both teams' Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference openers.

The Warriors scored first less than seven minutes into the match and twice in the first 13 minutes, 5 seconds, and the lead would last. The Muskies dropped to 4-4-1 overall, while WLC defeated Lakeland for the second straight year and moved to 4-3 overall.

It was an uphill battle for much of the night for the Muskies, who fell behind early and struggled to make many offensive charges in the first half. Lakeland didn't even post a shot attempt until Rachel Hasko (Jr.-Racine, Wis.) struck a free kick on goal in the 41st minute.

Wisconsin Lutheran got on the board 6:55 into the match when Helen Joyce collected a corner kick by Kendra Schumacher and scored for a 1-0 lead. Schumacher was in the middle of a second goal when her work in the box and then pass to Dempsey O'Brien resulted in another goal and a 2-0 lead.

The Muskies showed fight in the second half but the WLC lead grew to 3-0 when Helen Joyce dribbled through the defense and beat goalkeeper Grace Daehling (So.-Sun Prairie, Wis.) from a sharp angle for a 3-0 lead in the 67th minute. Lakeland did get on the board less than two minutes later when Hasko looped a free kick from the left side over goalkeeper Rosanna Mazzulla's head and into the back of the net for her team-leading fifth goal of the season.

Stephanie Figueroa (Sr.-Round Lake Park, Ill.) attempted a pair of shots in the final 20 minutes, with Mazzulla stopping both, and the Muskies were quiet the rest of the way. Amanda Buckler (Fr.-Sheridan, Wyo.) had the only shot attempt in the final 15 minutes, firing wide with less than two minutes remaining in the match.

Mazzulla made three saves for Wisconsin Lutheran, while Daehling also saved three shots for Lakeland. The Warriors posted a 10-5 shot advantage and also attempted 10 corner kicks.

Lakeland next will face Concordia University Chicago on Saturday at 2 p.m. in River Forest, Ill.