SHEBOYGAN - Concordia University Wisconsin scored three unanswered goals after an early score by Lakeland College and defeated the Muskies 3-1 in a Northern Athletics Conference match Tuesday afternoon.
The Muskies were unable to take advantage of an early lead on the scoreboard and on the field and dropped to 2-7-2 overall and 0-3-2 in the NAC. Lakeland also is now 0-5-1 in its last six matches, while Concordia improved to 6-6 overall, including 4-1 in conference.
The Muskies got an early goal just 4:25 into the match when goalkeeper Alex Piekarski (Sr.-Menasha, Wis.) boomed a goal kick all the way down the field. Paul Elzinga (So.-Howards Grove, Wis.) deflected the ball to Farouk Dadzie (Jr.-Milwaukee, Wis.), who got loose in front of the goal and beat Falcon goalkeeper Sam Ische to make it 1-0. Elzinga and Piekarski both assisted the play, with Piekarski recording his first collegiate assist.
Lakeland then benefited from a second yellow card on Concordia defenseman Aaron Pope just over 17 minutes into the match, putting the Falcons a man down for the final 73 minutes. The Muskies were unable to take advantage of the situation and their strong start, though, as the Falcons took over play and eventually tied the match on a goal by Diego Campos in the 35th minute.
The score remained tied at halftime, but Concordia took the lead just 1:44 into the second half. A foul in the box resulted in a penalty kick and Kyle Sytsma converted to put the Falcons ahead 2-1.
Concordia continued to dominate play, with the exception of a few brief spurts by the Muskies, and the Falcons added a third goal at 76:13 when Nick Hopper tapped in a pass from Campos to make it 3-1. Lakeland had a chance to draw closer in the 82nd minute when Logan Massey (Fr.-New Franken, Wis.) and Elzinga both had point-blank chances in front of the goal, but both were smothered by Ische.
The Falcons outshot Lakeland 28-11 for the match, including 16-6 in the second half. Piekarski made eight saves for the Muskies, while Ische made five saves for Concordia.
Lakeland is on the road again Saturday when it travels to face nationally ranked Dominican (Ill.) University at 1 p.m. in River Forest in another NAC match.
Athletics - Men's Soccer