AURORA, Ill. – Aurora University scored less than a minute into the match and the Lakeland University women's soccer team fell again despite an excellent effort from goalkeeper Haley Rich (Sr.-West Chicago, Ill.), dropping a 2-0 decision Sunday afternoon in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play.

The Muskies again spent much of the day on defense but gave a stubborn effort before falling to 3-6 overall and 0-4 in the NACC. Aurora improved to 2-3-3 overall and is 2-2 in conference play.

Lakeland played from behind for all but the first 51 seconds of the match, as that's all the time it took for the host Spartans to go ahead. Lauren Bliefernicht scored with an assist from Jessica Mirsky in the first minute.

Aurora would dominate possession the rest of the first half but still led just 1-0 at halftime. The Spartans would add a second goal just over two minutes into the second half, though, with McKenna Kunz scoring unassisted at 47:08 fo the match for a 2-0 lead.

Aurora would continue to fire away and finished with a 31-2 shots advantage, including 17 shots on goal. Rich stopped 15 shots, including ten saves in the second half to keep the Muskies within striking distance.

Marlen Reyes (Jr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) attempted both shots for Lakeland, including the lone shot on goal in the 63rd minute in the second half.

The Muskies are on the road again on Wednesday when they travel to face Concordia University Chicago at 4 p.m. in River Forest, Ill.