PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Gavin Pinchart (Fr.-De Pere, Wis.) headed in the go-ahead goal with less than six minutes left and the Lakeland University men's soccer team defeated Finlandia (Mich.) University 3-2 Monday night at Taylor Field.

The Muskies took the lead twice in a frantic final 20 minutes with Suleiman Haji (So.-Mankato, Minn.) playing a role in both goals. Lakeland held on after the second goal to pick up its first win of the season and improve to 1-1-1 overall through three games.

Haji struck a corner kick in the 71st minute into the middle of the box that senior Thomas Sanuk (Milwaukee, Wis.) headed in for his first goal of the season and second career collegiate goal. The goal gave the Muskies a 2-1 lead, but it would be short-lived as Finlandia (1-4 overall) came back and tied it at 2-2 in the 76th minute with Sam Williams scoring his second goal of the season.

Lakeland would take the lead back in the 85th minute, this time for good. Haji made a run on the left side all the way down to the end line before sending a cross into the box that Pinchart headed in. The freshman's first career goal gave the Muskies a 3-2 lead that would hold the rest of the way, with the Lions unable to get off another shot.

The teams were tied 1-1 at halftime, with Finlandia scoring first with a goal by Kendall Ukudemu at 17 minutes, 29 seconds of the match. Lakeland would even the score in the 37th minute when Lizandro Jimenez (Sr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) scored a beautiful goal from 30 yards out. The left-footed Jimenez struck a bender from the right side that initially appeared well off target but continued bending until settling into the upper left corner of the net, beyond the reach of a diving attempt by Finlandia keeper Hunter Ross.

The teams played on even terms much of the match, trading opportunities. Finlandia finished with a 7-5 edge in shots on goal, but the Muskies had a prime chance in the 10th minute when Ross was caught out of the goal and Pinchart hit a shot in the box that was blocked away from near the goal line by a Lions defender.

Zach Heiman (So.-Racine, Wis.) made five saves for the Muskies for his first collegiate win. Ross made one save for Finlandia. Haji's two assists were the first two of his collegiate career, and Lakeland improved to 7-1-1 in nine all-time meetings with Finlandia in a series dating back to 2004.

Lakeland now gets ready to open Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play when it travels to face new NACC member St. Norbert College on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in De Pere.

Box score Lakeland 3 Finlandia 2