Box Score PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Elmhurst (Ill.) University broke open a stalemate with two goals just over five minutes apart early in the second half and went on to defeat the Lakeland University men's soccer team 3-0 in a non-conference match Monday at Taylor Field.

The Muskies played well for a half but the Bluejays owned the second half to win the first ever meeting between the teams. Lakeland dropped to 4-11-2 overall with one match left in its season against Concordia University Wisconsin Wednesday

Elmhurst (7-8-2 overall) broke a scoreless tie with the first goal 50 minutes, 25 seconds into the match. Jonathan Mueller's corner kick was deflected in via a header by Edmund Conroy, who took advantage of good position right on front of the goal for his third goal of the season.

The Bluejays of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin dominated possession in the second half, especially early on with six shots in the first 9 1/2 minutes after halftime. Elmhurst then quickly transitioned after a brief Muskies' foray into the offensive end, with defender Maciej Rzadkosz sending a ball through ahead to Aiden Ramirez behind the defense. Ramirez took three touches and then scored on a blast from 15 yards out past goalkeeper Ben Taylor (Jr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) to make it 2-0 in the 56th minute.

Lakeland's second half opportunities were limited, with most coming in the final 10 minutes. Two of the better opportunities came on headers, first when Dirk Dell Adema (So.-Howards Grove, Wis.) headed a shot well wide of goal in the 83rd minute, and a few minutes later when Omero Cornejo (So.-Carpentersville, Ill.) also headed a ball wide on a corner kick with less than four minutes to play.

The Bluejays added on one final goal in the last minute. Adam Rutherford sent a ball into the box that was headed Sam Santos, and then deflected off a Muskies defender and past Taylor into the goal for an own goal.

Lakeland played well in the first half, with play swinging back and forth. Carson Galla (Sr.-Deerfield, Wis.) made two saves in the half, but the biggest save by a Muskie came with a second left before halftime, when Santos got free for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper that slipped through Galla but Joseph Reyes (Sr.-Pico River, Calif.) was there to sweep it away from the goal line just before the half ended.

Elmhurst finished with a 17-6 advantage in shots, including 11-3 in the second half. The Bluejays also enjoyed a 12-4 lead in corner kicks, including 7-2 in the final 45 minutes. Niyen Ruffin made one save for the shutout for Elmhurst, while Taylor made three saves for Lakeland.  

Lakeland closes out its season Wednesday against Concordia Wisconsin at 7 p.m. at Taylor Field.