Lakeland University Athletics

PLYMOUTH, Wis. - Alana Mrotek (Fr.-Luxemburg, Wis.) scored her first collegiate goal and the Lakeland University women's soccer team defeated Aurora University for the first time in program history with a 1-0 victory Saturday afternoon at John Taylor Memorial Field.
 
The Muskies bested the Spartans for the first time in 24 tries, as a Lakeland team small in numbers but not in effort ended years of frustration against a long-time opponent for the second time this season. Lakeland also earned its second Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference win of the season, improving to 3-8 overall and 2-4 in conference.
 
The Muskies' scoring rally started in the 29th minute with a counter-attack after pressure from Madie Linka (Sr.-Somerset, Wis.) resulted in a turnover, with Mikayla Belasco (Sr.-Muskegon, Mich.) winning a loose ball and sending a pass ahead to Lia Armstrong (Sr.-Fort Wayne, Ind.) on the left. Armstrong then centered to Malaya Sperber (Jr.-Cedar Grove, Wis.), who between two converging defenders got off a shot that was deflected by Aurora goalkeeper Leila Conner. Sperber got to the ball for a second chance that a Spartans defender got a piece of, resulting in a Lakeland corner kick.
 
Ines Rodriguez (Sr.-Newark, Calif.) sent a corner kick back to Mrotek, who had pushed up from her defender position into the offensive end. Mrotek won the ball from an oncoming Spartan, turned and launched a looping shot from 30 yards out over Conner and into the back of the net at 28 minutes, 56 seconds of the match.
 
Lakeland was able to get to halftime still with the lead, and then in the second half held the fort even as Aurora posted a 10-2 advantage in shot attempts. Just three of the Spartans' shots were on goal, though, and the guests' best opportunity with a breakaway by Chelsey Johnson resulted in a shot wide of the target.
 
Ingrid Steinbock (Jr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) made six saves in recording her second shutout of the season. The defense including the middle of Mrotek and Kaitlyn Taylor (Fr.-Simi Valley, Calif.) plus Emily Guy (Sr.-Glendale Heights, Ill.) and Sam Walkowski (Fr.-Bellevue, Wis.) also provided plenty of support especially in pursuit on several Aurora chances.
 
The Spartans finished the game with a 19-7 advantage in shots. Aurora now holds a 21-1-2 lead in the all-time series, with the teams' most recent tie two years ago in a scoreless draw at Lakeland. The Muskies ended a 23-match winless streak against the Spartans just 10 days after stopping a 17-match losing streak against Marian University with a 1-0 victory Sept. 23.

Lakeland is home again Wednesday night when it faces Illinois Tech at 7 p.m. at Taylor Field.