LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Rockford University men's soccer team (4-2-1, 1-0 NACC) opened Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play on Saturday with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Lakeland University Muskies. The win gives the Regents their first 1-0 start in the conference since 2008 and ties the most overall wins in season since 2006 when Rockford joined the NACC. 

Saturday's match was a tale of two halves as each team played much better with the wind at its back. The Muskies struck first with a goal in the fourteenth minute to take a 1-0 lead. Rockford was unable to mount much of an offensive attack in the first half as the Regents recorded just 4 shots and entered halftime trailing 1-0. The second half however belonged to the Regents, as Rockford outshot Lakeland 9-4 including a 5-2 edge in shots on goal. Junior Omar Rivas (Capron, Ill.) knotted the match at 1-1 in the 57th minute with his fifth goal of the season. The match remained tied until the Muskies were whistled for a penalty in the box with only 8 minutes remaining. Sophomore Anders-James Wermuth (Spring Green, Wis.) took advantage as he beat the keeper on the penalty kick for the game-winning goal. Rockford goaltender Anthony Beck (Fishers, Ind.) and the Regents defense kept the Muskies off the scoreboard for the remainder of the match to secure the 2-1 victory. Beck had another nice day in goal making three saves to improve his record to 3-2-1. 

The RU men's soccer team returns to the field on Wednesday, September 21 at Moody Bible. Kickoff is set for 4:00 PM.