PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin jumped ahead with two early goals and the Lakeland University men's soccer team saw its Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament hopes dashed with a 5-0 loss Wednesday afternoon at CUW's Fitting Field.

The Falcons won what was essentially a play-in game into the NACC tourney, clinching the final available spot and preventing the Muskies from making their first trip to the conference tournament since 2009. Lakeland saw its longest unbeaten streak since 2007 end at five matches and saw its season end with a 6-7-2 overall mark and a 5-6-1 NACC record.

Concordia (9-7-1 overall, 7-4-1 NACC) scored twice in the first 21 minutes, 10 seconds and three times in the first half to put the Muskies in a big hole early. Ivan Cuellar scored the opening goal and added an assist on the second goal, and Spencer Sandarski scored in the 40th minute to deal Lakeland another blow just before halftime with CUW's third goal of the half.

The hosts also scored again in the 54th minute, and though the Muskies' attack picked up in the second half it couldn't break through. Ben Taylor (Fr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) and Joseph Reyes (So.-Pico River, Calif.) both put shots on goal 45 seconds apart shortly after the Falcons took a 4-0 lead, but Lakeland was unable to get through Concordia's backline. The Falcons were able to limit Michecadet Gethand (So.-Jackson, Wis.), one of the hottest players in the conference with nine goals over his previous seven matches but who was held without a shot in this match.

Reyes and Suleiman Haji (So.-Mankato, Minn.) would attempt shots late that went wide. Concordia added one more goal with 2:53 left in regulation as Jacob Schmidt scored his first of the season.

The Falcons outshot the Muskies 17-12 and had a bigger edge in shots on goal, where CUW put ten shots on frame but Lakeland generated just two. Concordia also added an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks, including seven corners in the first half.

Lee Kellom (Fr.-Michigan City, Ind.) made the start in goal before giving way soon after to Zach Heiman (So.-Racine, Wis.), who made five saves but took the loss. The match was also the final one for Lakeland lone senior Aaron Smith (Lake Geneva, Wis.).

The Muskies' six wins still were the program's most since 2014, and its 6-7-1 record was the team's best since an 8-9-1 mark in 2013. The five NACC wins also were the most for a Lakeland men's soccer team since 2011.