WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Lakeland University men's soccer team was close for a second straight game but again came up short with a 2-1 loss to the University of La Verne (Calif.) Sunday in a neutral site match hosted by Carroll University.

The Muskies lost by a 2-1 score for the second time this season and second time in three day. Sunday's loss also came in the first-ever meeting between the Muskies and the Leopards, visiting the Midwest from the suburbs of Los Angeles in La Verne, Calif.

The teams played to a scoreless draw for more than 65 minutes before La Verne (2-0 overall) scored in the 66th minute. Maximillian De Anda scored the first goal on a free kick from 33 yards out, bouncing it past and to the left of goalkeeper Zach Heiman (Jr.-Racine, Wis.). The score came just after a foul called on Lakeland attempting to play a goal kick by Heiman.

The Leopards would score again with a second goal in just over eight minutes. A pass from the left side near midfield led to a header to Adan Villarreal, who took two touches and fired a shot inside the left post for his fourth goal of the season in two matches.

Lakeland got on the board in the game's final minute, scoring on a penalty kick for the second straight game. Gavin Pinchart (Jr.-Green Bay, Wis.) was tripped on an attack to get the Muskies a free kick by Joseph Reyes (Sr.-Pico River, Calif.), which ping-ponged around the box before a hard foul was called on a La Verne defender with 31 seconds left in the game. Alessandro Bianchi (Sr.-Venice, Italy) took the penalty kick and scored for his first goal of the season.

The Leopards finished with an 18-13 edge in shot attempts, including a 9-5 lead in shots on goal. Heiman made seven saves for the Muskies, while Jordan Davis-Troller (So.-Cottage Grove, Wis.) led the attack with four shots, including three of the team's shots on goal.

Lakeland is on the road again Tuesday when it travels to face Maranatha Baptist University at 4 p.m. in Watertown.