The good news was that the Nipissing Lakers men's soccer team had just one game to focus on this weekend.

The bad news, it was against the Carleton Ravens, a team with just one loss so far this season and things didn't do as planned for the Lakers.

Looking to get on track as they enter the second half of the season, the Lakers weren't able to pull off the upset, losing 5-0 on the road to the powerful Ravens.

Carleton scored twice in the first half, including an early marker at the 7-minute mark and three times in the second half to pick up the win and three points.

The loss sends the Lakers to a 1-6-1 record and six points out of the final playoff spot with eight games left on the schedule.

With a huge home game coming up this weekend versus Laurentian, the Lakers are almost in must-win territory as they close out the year.

Five of their last eight games are at home, which should make the climb a little bit easier, but regardless of where they are playing, Nipissing will need to be at the top of their game to close the gap on the six post-season teams.

Saturday's game begins a busy stretch for Nipissing, playing two games every weekend until the end of the year.

This weekend, a home game versus Laurentian is followed by a road game versus Toronto on Sunday, forcing the team to make a quick turnaround following their matchup with the Vees.

Eight games left, six points out, the Lakers have their work cut out for them, but they have the people to make it happen and it all begins this weekend.

Kickoff is set for Noon Saturday at the Education Centre Field at Nipissing University, with Sunday's game being played at Varsity Field in Toronto Sunday at 2:15pm.