The Nipissing Lakers men's soccer team is in a tough position - needing to look to the future, but also worrying about their current games.

Thanks to their run of eight straight without a loss, the Lakers put themselves in a great position, almost mathematically assuring that they reach the playoffs once again, but with four games left on the schedule entering this weekend, they still have work to do.

Saturday, a young lineup came up short, losing 5-1 to the first place Ryerson Rams, who have only suffered one loss so far this season.

Nicholas Cirullo got the nod in net and despite being handed the loss, played a strong game.

Zach Cameron and Mathieu Simard were also solid players for Nipissing throughout the 90 minutes at Downsview Park.

A lot of the Lakers rookies saw the field for much of the game and the Rams capitalized on the young squad.

Matthew Anderson had the lone Nipissing goal.

Sitting in fifth place in the East Division, eight points up on Laurentian who is out of the playoffs, the Lakers will turn their attention to Toronto for their second game of the road trip.

Kick off is set for 2:30 p.m. at Varsity Stadium.