By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---A pair of first half goals was just enough for the Owens Community College men's soccer team in a 2-1 win over Lake Michigan College at home today.

Nathan Francis (Lake/Walbridge, Ohio) headed in a free kick from Reiss Liggitt (Seminole/Birmingham, England) just 4:14 into the match to give Owens an early lead.

Following that, Matt Almester (St. John's Jesuit/Rossford, Ohio) scored after receiving a cross from Michael Dingwall (Riverdale/Lehigh Acres, Fla.) at the 17:30 mark.

Despite the fast start, the Owens offense found tougher sledding the rest of the way. Lake Michigan held Owens scoreless the rest of the half, and Canniggia Johnson scored just 1:15 into the second half to trim his team's deficit in half.

Neither team could add another goal after that, although Lake Michigan nearly had the game tying goal late, but a shot into the left side of the net near the left post was ruled wide.

Owens out-shot Lake Michigan 18-7 overall, but held a slimmer 8-6 advantage in shots on goal. Almester totaled five shots, with three going on goal, while Dingwall and Francis each had two shots total with one going on goal for each player.

While Clayton Stakely was saving seven shots for Lake Michigan, Kyle Rowan (Perrysburg/Perrysburg, Ohio) picked up five saves for Owens.

The goal by Francis was his first of the season. He is the eighth different player to record a goal for Owens this year. Almester, meanwhile, recorded his team-high seventh goal of the year.

Dingwall and Liggitt each recorded their second assist of the season.

Owens is now 4-4 overall and 4-2 in Region XII play. They will get a rematch against Ancilla College at home tomorrow beginning at 3 p.m. Ancilla is 3-1 in Region XII play and defeated Owens 1-0 in overtime on Sept. 11.