The road to the post-season for a fifth consecutive season took a bit of a hit this past weekend for the Nipissing Lakers men's soccer team.
The Lakers, playing in their final two road games of the season, started the weekend off strong, earning a come-from-behind tie against UOIT thanks to a last second goal.
But on Sunday, the Trent Excalibur got the better of the Lakers and handed them a 3-0 loss, moving Nipissing seven points from the final playoff spot with just four games remaining.
On Saturday, a quick start had the Lakers in decent shape, as
Andy Bago scored just eight minutes into the game to give Nipissing the early lead.
Just before halftime, UOIT tied the game at one – where it would stay until the 74 th minute.
UOIT would strike again to take a late lead, but
Ryan Roy found the back of the net with just minutes left on the clock to earn the Lakers a point.
Grainger Munro picked up the tie in net, as the Lakers outshot UOIT 6-5.
Sunday, coming off earning a key point, the Lakers couldn't carry over the momentum as Trent scored in the first half to give them a 1-0 lead and twice in the second half to put the game away and pick up the victory.
The eventual game-winner came in the 32 nd minute and just 10 minutes into the second half, Trent scored the insurance goal.
The goal to make it 3-0 came in the 90 th minute, but by that time the game was well in hand.
With four games left, all at home, the Lakers are in tough to advance to the post-season, although it is mathematically possible.
But to do so, Nipissing will need to pick up three upsets – defeating the first, second and fourth place teams.
The final two weekends begin with games against the undefeated Ryerson Rams Saturday at 2:15pm and the second place Carleton Ravens Sunday afternoon.
Combined, this weekend's opponents are 22-1-2 this season, so to say it will be an uphill climb for the Lakers would be a bit of an understatement.
Both games are set to kick off at the Education Centre Field at Nipissing University at 2:15pm both Saturday and Sunday.
