PLYMOUTH, Wis. – The Lakeland University women's soccer team won the second half but Edgewood University rode a fast start to defeat the Muskies 4-1 Wednesday night at John Taylor Memorial Field.
Ines Rodriguez (
Sr.-Newark, Calif.) scored a goal for Lakeland but the Eagles scored three goals in a span of just over seven minutes in the latter stages of the first half and won the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener for both teams. Edgewood earned its first win of the season and improved to 1-4-1 overall while the Muskies dropped to 1-5 overall.
The Eagles opened the scoring just over eight minutes into the game, drawing a penalty kick converted by Riley Haertle. Edgewood broke the game open past the midway point of the half, though, starting with a goal by Aubrie Cruz at the start of the 27th minute to make it 2-0.
The Eagles then scored twice in a span of less than three minutes. Megan Hines scored at 30:27 of the match to make it 3-0, and Lauren Mesa followed with a goal in the 34th minute. Haertle assisted on both goals and Edgewood took a 4-0 lead into halftime.
Lakeland fought back in the second half and got on the board with just under 10 minutes remaining in the match. A first shot attempt by
Malaya Sperber (
Jr.-Cedar Grove, Wis.) was blocked by a defender, but the ball spun off to Rodriguez right of the 18-yard box, who ran on and blasted a high looping shot over the head of Sheehan and bouncing just inside the left post for her second goal of the season.
Edgewood finished the game with a 14-3 advantage in shot attempts, including 10-2 in the first half. Rodriguez attempted two shots while
Ingrid Steinbock (
Jr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) made eight saves for the Muskies.
Lakeland is home again Saturday to host Benedictine University at 4:30 p.m. at Taylor Field, when the team also will honor eight seniors on this year's team as part of Senior Day festivities.
