APPLETON, Wis. -- The Lawrence University hockey team came up just short on Friday in a 3-2 Northern Collegiate Hockey Association loss to MSOE at the Appleton Ice Center.
    Sophomore defenseman Matt Ernst scored his first two career goals for the Vikings, but Lawrence couldn't get the equalizer in the final minutes.
    MSOE (2-1-2, 1-1-1 NCHA) jumped on top early with a pair of goals in the opening 9:33 of the game. The Raiders then added a third goal at the 12:28 mark of the second for a 3-0 lead.
    The Vikings (2-4-0, 0-3-0) responded immediately when Ernst scored off a pass from Oliver DeCroock at the 12:51 mark to slice the lead to 3-1. 
    Lawrence edged closer early in the third period when the Vikings went on the power play following a double minor for roughing on MSOE's Preston Park. Lawrence cashed in on the ensuing power play when Ernst scored off a pass from Will Robertson at the 4:44 mark to cut the lead to 3-2.
    Lawrence went 1-for-3 on the power play, and MSOE was 1-for-6.
    Both teams had power-play opportunities later in the period but neither could convert. Lawrence's comeback was dealt a setback after an interference penalty at the 16:44 mark, but the Vikings were able to pull goaltender Alex Mosquera for the final 47 seconds. 
    The Vikings snapped off several quality shots in the final seconds, including a one-timer from Ivan Galaguzov, but MSOE goaltender Nick Stofcheck turned it away and the Raiders held on.
    Stofcheck made 29 saves for MSOE, and Mosquera stopped 41 shots for the Vikings.
    The teams wrap up the series on Saturday in Milwaukee.