MONMOUTH, Ill. –
Mikayla Belasco (
Sr.-Muskegon, Mich.) and
Malaya Sperber (
Jr.-Cedar Grove, Wis.) scored goals but the Lakeland University women's soccer team ran out of time in its comeback in a 3-2 loss to Monmouth (Ill.) College Friday evening.
The Muskies lost to the Fighting Scots by a 3-2 score for the second straight year, once again rallying late before coming up just short. Lakeland dropped to 0-2 this season after its second one-goal loss while Monmouth won its season opener.
The Scots' Mariah Hobson scored the first goal just 1 minute, 34 seconds into the match, but Belasco scored the tying goal with 13 minutes left in the first half. The midfielder received a pass from
Ines Rodriguez (
Sr.-Newark, Calif.), dribbled into space and struck a blast from 30 yards out into the upper left corner for her first goal of the season.
The score stayed tied until just over 10 minutes into the second half, when Hobson scored again, with Natalie Morrow assisting her for the second time, this time for a 2-1 lead. Yoselim Hernandez then scored in the 67th minute to give Monmouth a 3-1 lead
The Muskies drew closer in the 83rd minute, as Sperber and
Ashlyn Jimenez (
So.-Crown Point, Ind.) worked a beautiful two-player game into the Scots end. Jimenez then slipped a pass through two defenders to a cutting Sperber, who deposited a shot inside the right post for her first goal of the season to make it 3-2. Lakeland would get no closer, getting several pushes into the Monmouth end again late but unable to get a shot in the final seven minutes.
The Fighting Scots finished with a 27-5 advantage in shot attempts, including an 18-4 margin in shots on goal.
Ingrid Steinbock (
Jr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) made 15 saves, while Cadence Covert and Izzy Seipold combined to make two saves for Monmouth.
Lakeland is in action again Sunday, traveling to face Lawrence University at 1 p.m. in Appleton.
