VERONA, Wis. – Rafael Romero (Fr.-Mendota, Ill.) scored with 51 seconds left for the only goal of the match and the Lakeland University men's soccer team won its second straight Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference match, defeating Edgewood College 1-0 Saturday.

Romero broke a scoreless tie with his first collegiate goal and the Muskies continued to stay very much alive in the chase for a spot in the eight-team NACC Tournament. Lakeland improved to 4-9-1 overall and is now 3-6 in conference with three regular season conference matches remaining.

The Muskies scored the game-winner just after a foul on the Eagles (7-7-2 overall, 3-5-1 NACC) near midfield. Joseph Reyes (Sr.-Pico River, Calif.) took the free kick and drove it down into the box, where Edgewood goalkeeper Maverick Van Laanen attempted to grab it. Instead, the ball got away from him, and Romero was in position to capitalize, quickly firing with his left foot past a defender and into the goal from 15 yards out.

Lakeland was able to take advantage of its opportunity shortly after the Eagles had missed a couple chances from close range in the final minutes. The best chance came with just over two minutes left, when a 2-on-1 opportunity got Sal Genco free from 12 yards out, but his shot went wide of an open goal.

Edgewood also had a corner kick with just over three minutes that resulted in a header wide by Austin Hauser, and another crossing attempt with under two minutes to play went well past the far post. The Eagles finished with the advantage in the match, outshooting the Muskies 18-10, including a 4-2 lead in shots on goal.

Romero, Reyes, Michael Barragan (Sr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) and Alessandro Bianchi (Sr.-Venice, Italy) all had two shot attempts each, while Brahm Dell Adema (So.-Plano, Texas) had the only other shot on goal for the Muskies. Zach Heiman (Jr.-Racine, Wis.) saved four shots for the shutout.

Miguel Konde Gwo led Edgewood with five shot attempts and Noah Hook added four shots. Van Laanen stopped the other shot he faced.

Lakeland now closes the regular season with its last four matches at home, starting Wednesday when it hosts Marian University at 7 p.m. at Taylor Field.