NORTH EAST, Pa. – Lakeland men's soccer allowed an equalizing goal just before the end of regulation and Mercyhurst North East was able to take advantage of an own goal in the opening minute of overtime to steal away a 4-3 victory Sunday afternoon.
With the loss, Lakeland's overall record falls to 5-9-3 while its Region XII record remains at 2-5-2.
Ugochukwu MacAustin Nneji (Lagos, Nigeria) scored a pair of goals for the Lakers while Carlos Silva Torres (Perry) added the other goal. Hans-Conny Chery (Toronto, Ontario) and Williams Batres (Cleveland) each added an assist in the loss.
Mercyhurst North East started the scoring in the 26th minute but Lakeland countered quickly as Nneji scored an unassisted goal less than two minutes later to tie the game at 1-1 for a score that would hold up until halftime.
Mercyhurst North East scored first in the second half to take a 2-1 lead in the 53rd minute but then Nneji again tied the game with a goal, this time in the 56th minute after an assist from Batres to make the score 2-2.
Torres gave the Lakers a 3-2 lead in the 80th minute after taking a pass from Chery and scoring. The lead didn't hold up as Mercyhurst North East scored in the 87th minute and then capitalized on an own goal in overtime to seal the victory.
Lakeland will return home on Wednesday, Oct. 17 for a match against Lorain County Community College at 4 p.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.