VERONA, Wis. – The Lakeland University men's soccer team had plenty of opportunities but Edgewood University was the far better team at cashing in on its chances and defeated the Muskies 5-0 Wednesday night at Reddan Park.
Lakeland saw its school record-tying six-game win streak ended by the two-time defending Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference champions. The match also was the conference opener for both teams this season.
The Muskies' loss wasn't for lack of chances against the preseason favorites again in the NACC this year, and the ability to challenge a strong team was an encouraging sign even in defeat. Lakeland (6-2 overall, 0-1 NACC) outshot the Eagles 24-18 for the match, including a 14-8 advantage in shots on goal.
The Muskies went 0-for-24 in their shot attempts, though, including seven shot attempts by reigning NACC offensive player of the week
Dunia Wangu (
Jr.-Milwaukee, Wis.), three shots each from
Isai Gil (
Jr.-Beaumont, Calif.) and
Woodlens Frederic (
Fr.-Green Bay, Wis.) and two more from
Jordan Davis-Troller (
Sr.-Cottage Grove, Wis.) and
Austin Eigenberger-Vahsholtz (
Jr.-Grafton, Wis.).
Edgewood (1-3-2 overall, 1-0 NACC) got off to a quick start, scoring just 2 minutes, 52 seconds into the match on a goal by Isaiah Stiebel. The Eagles would add a second goal from Arjun Kaushik in the 21st minute and would hold a 2-0 lead into halftime and for the majority of the match.
The hosts added on three more goals late in the second half, including two just 29 seconds apart. Connor Gage scored in the 76th minute, Stiebel scored his second goal at 80:07 of the match and Austin Mullen scored less than 30 seconds later at 80:37 to close the scoring.
Edgewood goalkeepers Ezra Wallace and Griffin Meisterheim split time in goal and combined to make 13 saves. The Eagles also saved a goal when a defender swept away a shot by Frederic in the 76th minute just before Gage's goal.
Ali Faiad (
Fr.-Tampa, Fla.) made three saves for Lakeland. In all 12 of the 18 field players to participate for the Muskies posted at least one shot attempt.
Lakeland plays at home for the first time in conference on Saturday when it hosts Benedictine University at 1 p.m. in Taylor Field.
