The Lakeland men's soccer team played host to the Owens Express today and dropped a challenging 2-1 decision. During the first half, both teams had limited scoring chances. Lakeland continued to try and play a possession game to create offense while the Express tried to play the long ball over or thru the Lakers defense to create chances. Neither team was able to break thru and the teams went into the break tied 0-0.

Early in the second half, the Express got a quality scoring chance as an Express forward broke free about 12 yards out. Dominik Bruketa was equal to the task as he made a diving save. Lakeland followed up with their best scoring chance at about the 70 minute mark. On the play the Lakeland forward beat the defender and then the Express goalie only to have the shot hit the post. As the play continued, the Express quickly countered and found themselves in a 1v1 situation deep in Lakeland territory. The two players would collide with the Laker defender going down. As this happened, another forward and Laker would join the play. The Laker defender went to pressure the Owens forward with the ball, but the player was able to center the ball to a wide open Express player for a tap in. The Express would tally their second goal 15 minutes later when a Laker defender was whistled for a foul in the box. The Express converted the penalty kick for a 2-0 lead. Lakeland would have another quality scoring chance minutes later when a forward broke in on the left side of the goal. The Lakers took the shot and beat the keeper, but the ball went just wide of the post. The Lakers would continue to pressure and finally break thru with 2:20 to play in the game. On the goal Blais Gosse controlled the ball to the left of the Express goal with a defender covering him. Gosse made a great move to beat the defender and then sent a centering pass to Byron Perez who scored in the open net. Unfortunately for the Lakers, though they pressured, they were unable to break through with another goal before time expired.

Abram Gutierrez led the Lakers with 5 shots while Byron Perez finished with a goal on 2 shots. Dominik Bruketa made 2 saves while taking the tough-luck loss in net.  

Coach Torres Talks: "I was pleased with our effort in the first half. We stayed composed and moved the ball well - switched the play effectively. Unfortunately, we lost a bit of focus in the second half leading to two unlucky mistakes. We'll address those details and keep working to get ready for another good challenge on Saturday."

Next Up: The Lakers will travel to the Cuyahoga West Campus on Saturday (10/11) to face off against the Triceratops. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 am.