PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Benedictine University scored three times in the second half to pull away and defeat the Lakeland University men's soccer team 4-1 Saturday afternoon at Taylor Field.
It was another tough day in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference for the Muskies. as the Eagles made them pay for mistakes and took control as the game went on. Lakeland dropped to 3-5-3 overall and 0-5-1 in the NACC with its winless streak extended to six games.
The Muskies trailed for all but just over eight minutes of the match after Benedictine (4-5-2 overall, 3-3 NACC) opened the scoring early, reversing early play in which Lakeland held the possession advantage. A long pass by defender Alex Pillath to Manav Soorma brough Muskies keeper
Ben Taylor (
So.-Sheboygan, Wis.) out of goal, and Soorma was able to pop the ball over Taylor and into the goal for a 1-0 lead.
The score stayed that way until halftime, in part due to
Carson Galla (
Jr.-Deerfield, Wis.) coming up big with a save on a penalty kick in the 17th minute. Benedictine began to get the better of play as the half went on, though, and the Eagles were awarded another penalty kick less than six minutes into the second half. Omar Barragan converted for a 2-0 Eagles lead.
Lakeland cut the lead in half in the 60th minute. A transition and push into the Eagles' end saw
Brandon Uhlean (
Jr.-Tinley Park, Ill.) on the left wing, where he sent a cross that
Gavin Pinchart (
So.-De Pere, Wis.) deflected to
Jordan Davis-Troller (
Fr.-Cottage Grove, Wis.), and the big forward scored for his second tally of the season.
The Muskies' good vibes were short-lived, as Benedictine scored again less than five minutes later. Moses Mata sliced through the back of the Lakeland defense and Berto Castillo was the beneficiary, scoring from 13 yards out to give the Eagles a two-goal lead. Benedictine added one more goal with just over five minutes left, with Castillo tallying his second of the match to close the scoring.
The Eagles finished with a 12-5 advantage in shots on goal, while the Muskies were caught offsides eight times, including five in the first half. Galla made four saves in goal.
Lakeland concludes a three-game homestand Wednesday when it hosts Wisconsin Lutheran College for a 7 p.m. start at Taylor Field.
