Lake Michigan's Perez Leads 3-2 Upset of Express Men's Soccer in Wet, Rainy Duel

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---Lake Michigan College jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half before hanging on for a 3-2 upset of the Express men's soccer team today.

Lake Michigan's Jose Perez and Ross Smith scored at the 10:49 and 22:48 marks to put their team up 2-0 early. Smith's goal came on a direct kick following a foul deep in Express territory.

Ahmad Jarrar, who had several scoring chances in the first half, then scored on a well-executed cross from Vijay Gentles to pull the Express within one at the 30:10 mark.

Perez then opened the second half with a difficult goal from the far left side of the field at the 49:34 mark to make it 3-1. He crossed the ball from the left into the top right corner of the net as Express goalkeeperJoshua Kleinow had no chance at saving the ball.

A short time later, Express midfielder Jacob Martin was taken down in the box, resulting in a penalty kick goal at the 60:33 mark. However, it would be the final goal of the game - despite several late chances for the Express that either went high, wide or got saved.

Kleinow saved five shots in goal, while Lake Michigan's Danny Martinez had six saves.

Notes

With the loss, the Express saw their seven game unbeaten streak end. They had not lost since a 2-1 defeat to Schoolcraft College on Sept. 4. The game also marked the third time the Express have given up three goals in a game this year, which is also the most goals they've allowed in a game.

The Express fall to 9-2-1 overall and 7-2-1 in Region XII, while Lake Michigan improves to 6-6 overall and 6-6 in Region XII. 

The Express will host Schoolcraft College on Wednesday at 4 p.m. The Ocelots dealt the Express their first loss earlier in the year.

Since starting the season 0-3, Lake Michigan has gone 6-3 since in the first year of their program.

Martin's goal improved his team-high total to nine this year, while Gentles picked up his team-high ninth assist. Jarrar's goal was his fourth of the year.

The Express had defeated Lake Michigan 4-2 in the season opener, so today's loss evens up the season series.