MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Lakeland University men's soccer team got closer to one of the powers of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference but Milwaukee School of Engineering scored early and tacked on insurance late to stop the Muskies 2-0 Wednesday night at Viets Field.

Lakeland gave a powerful MSOE one of its toughest tests of the year and was within a goal into the final ten minutes before dropping to 2-3-2 overall and 0-3 in conference. The Raiders improved to 7-0-1 overall and are 3-0 in NACC play.

MSOE scored early, just over 13 minutes into the match. A corner kick got through to Connor Dees, whose header into the middle got through several defenders to Nathan Dresen, who punched it inside the left post for a 1-0 lead.

The Muskies put five shots on goal in the first half, with the chances including a header by Omero Cornejo (Fr.-Carpentersville, Ill.) after a corner kick and a long play ahead by defender Aung San (Jr.-Charlotte, N.C.) that Michecadet Gethand (Jr.-Jackson, Wis.) got to behind the defense and was able to get a hard shot on that goalkeeper Brody Ping was able to cut off the angle on for a save.

The Raiders held the 1-0 lead deep into the second half, into the 82nd minute. Dees won a ball at midfield with a header that quickly also deflected off Dresen into an open spot, where Freddy Comparato was able to chase it down for a breakaway that he pushed past goalkeeper Carson Galla (Jr.-Deerfield, Wis.) on the ground and inside the right post from 16 yards out.

MSOE finished with an 18-7 advantage in shots, but the teams tied with five shots on goal each. Galla made three saves while Ping made five saves in the first half for the Raiders. Gethand led the Muskies' attack with three shot attempts, including two on goal.

Lakeland is on the road again Saturday when it travels to face Aurora University at 1 p.m. in Montgomery, Ill.