Box Score

The Benedictine University men's soccer team let its Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) opening match slip away in suffering a 4-3 loss at home versus Lakeland College on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles (3-2, 0-1 NAC) could not take control of a match which featured a total of five ties or lead changes.

After Lakeland had taken the 1-0 lead in the 11th minute, the Eagles tied it at 1-1 on Ryan Kozin's second goal of the season in the13th minute of play. The double-assist on the play went to Cesar Martinez and Slavko Milicevic. The goal, temporarily, tied Kozin with Martinez for the team's goal-scoring lead.

In the 25th minute, Erik Villegas scored his second goal in as many matches to put Benedictine ahead, 2-1. Erick Lopez got the assist on Villegas' goal.

That lead, too, proved short-lived as Lakeland knotted matters at 2-2 in the 27th minute as the score stood until halftime.  The Muskies grabbed a 3-2 lead just 24 seconds into the second half.

The Eagles were able to claw back to make it 3-3 in the 53rd minute. Martinez's team-leading third goal was assisted by Kozin.  However, Lakland would add a goal in the 74th minute and then hang on defensively, to secure the 4-3 win.

Benedictine goalkeeper Jim Hanley had two saves on the afternoon and was charged with all four goals.