While they deserved a better fate, at the end of the day the Nipissing Lakers men's soccer team came up short against the Queens Gaels.

In their home opener, the Lakers got off to a great start, generating a few chances and striking the crossbar within the first five minutes.

They kept the pressure up, went stride for stride with the Gaels, but it was Queens who would eventually catch the breaks.

After a scoreless 45 minutes, the Gaels struck three times in just over 10 minutes to break the game open and secure the full three points.

The first goal came at the 57 minute mark, followed by the second give minutes later and seven minutes after that, the Gaels put the game away.

Nipissing refused to quit and after each goal against, came back strong and put pressure on the Gaels back line, but were unable to find the back of the net.

A total of six corner kicks and seven shots kept the Lakers on the offensive, but they weren't able to capitalize on their chances.

Achuthan Shanmugaratnam finished the game with five saves, being tagged with the loss in a solid effort.

Nipissing will try to build on the performance, not the final results as they host the RMC Paladins Sunday afternoon.

Sitting at 2-4-0, the Lakers could use the win and three points to keep pace with the East Division.

Game time is set for 2:15pm at Scollard Hall.