AURORA, Ill. – The frustrations of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference gauntlet continued for the Lakeland University men's soccer team, which fell to Aurora University 3-1 Saturday afternoon on the road.

The Muskies outshot the Spartans including a significant advantage in shots on goal but lost their fourth straight in the NACC. Lakeland falls to 2-4-2 overall and is 0-4 in conference after facing an early schedule that has included three of the conference's top teams last year followed by a tough road test Saturday.

The Muskies answered an early Aurora goal with an equalizer with help from the hosts, only to see the Spartans seize the lead back again just over a minute later and hold it the rest of the game.

Aurora (3-1-4 overall, 2-0-2 NACC) scored first in the 14th minute on a goal by Brandon Dolezal, but Lakeland tied it at 1-1 at 19:51 of the match on an own goal misplayed by the Spartans. The hosts weren't down for long, though, as Gio Villegas scored 1:24 later to give Aurora a 2-1 lead.

The score would remain that way most of the rest of the match. It was 2-1 at halftime and deep into the second half, until the Spartans added some insurance in the 78th minute on a goal by Enrique Gonzalez.

Lakeland outshot Aurora 18-13 for the match and posted an 11-7 advantage in shots on goal, including a 5-2 lead in the first half. Michecadet Gethand (Jr.-Jackson, Wis.) attempted six shots with four on goal, Joseph Reyes (Jr.-Pico River, Calif.) and Kidus Samson (Jr.-San Francisco, Calif.) attempted three each and Bryan Tovar (So.-Lake in the Hills, Ill.) posted two in the final three minutes of the match.

Carson Galla (Jr.-Deerfield, Wis.) made four saves in goal for the Muskies. Jalen Depenbrock made 11 saves to earn the win for Aurora.

Lakeland next will face Concordia University Chicago at home Wednesday for a 7 p.m. start at Taylor Field.