MUSKEGON, Mich. – Lakeland Community College men's soccer started the season strong and scored three goals in a little more than a half and was able to hold off a late charge to secure a 3-2 victory over Muskegon Community College Saturday afternoon.
"We came out strong and we had good chances to score even more goals in the first half," said Djuro Peric, Lakeland head coach. "We just have to keep that effort for the entire 90 minutes and we let up a little in the second half."
The Lakers start the season off with a 1-0 record overall and in Region XII with the one-goal victory.
Carlos Pesso scored a goal in each half for Lakeland while Brendon Mullen added a goal in the first half. Ivan Matkovic used his pinpoint passing skills to assist on two goals in the first half while Olivier Fevrier Sildor assisted on the second-half goal.
Lakeland came out strong and created scoring chances early and it was Pesso cashing in with a goal to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead. Mullen added to the Laker lead before the half after taking a pass from Matkovic and burying the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead that would hold up until halftime.
The momentum stayed with Lakeland to begin the first half as Pesso added to his impressive day with another goal to give the Lakers a 3-0 lead early in the second half.
The momentum shifted to Muskegon before the final whistle as it scored on a penalty kick and another goal with less than two minutes left to get within 3-2. That would be as close as Muskegon would get as Lakeland held on for the one-goal victory.
Lakeland keeper Aaron Hafer made nine saves and made some impressive saves to keep Lakeland in the win column.
Lakeland will wrap up the two-game road trip with a game against Lake Michigan College Sunday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m.
For more information about Lakeland athletics, visit www.athletics.lakelandcc.edu.
About Lakeland Community College
Founded in 1967, Lakeland Community College was the first college in Ohio created by a vote of the people. True to our mission, Lakeland provides quality learning opportunities to meet the social and economic needs of the community.
Offering day, evening, weekend and online classes, the college serves more than 10,800 credit and 2,800 noncredit students (2016). For more information about the College, visit www.lakelandcc.edu.