It took the fourth-ranked team in the state to pin a loss on the Tremper soccer team.

Muskego, ranked fourth in the latest Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Division-1 poll, got a goal in the 87th minute to top the Trojans 2-1 in a Southeast Conference match in Muskego Friday evening.

“It was a great game,” Tremper coach Chris Tindall said. “It just didn’t fall our way.”

Tremper, ranked eighth, dropped to 9-1-2 and 2-1 in the SEC. Muskego improved to 8-0-1 and 2-0.

After a scoreless first half, Tremper took the lead on a Muskego “own goal.” The Trojans’ Dom Pisciotti played a ball through and Muskego tried to clear it and the ball wound up in the Muskego goal.

“We’re not accustomed to coming up to Muskego and getting a break,” Tindall said.

“That put a little wind in our sails right after half.”

Muskego tied it in the 77th minute and then ended it in the 87th minute.

“It looked like two ranked teams going toe-to-toe,” Tindall said. “It was an excellent game to be at whether you were a player, coach or spectator.

“It definitely stings. Our kids really played well against a good team. It’s one of those things where we asked the kids to leave everything on the field and they did.”

State-ranked Shoreland put itself in position to win the Patriot Games Invitational with two wins Friday at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Wauwatosa.

The Pacers, ranked fifth in the latest Division-3 WSCA poll, defeated Whitefish Bay Dominican 3-0 and Wisconsin Lutheran 5-2 to improve to 8-1-2.

Based on the tournament’s scoring system, the Pacers can clinch the title with a win or tie over Milwaukee Heritage Christian at 9:30 today.

Against Dominican, Steve Roekle, Erik White and David Hahlbeck scored for the Pacers with Trent Schwartz getting an assist.

Shoreland fell behind Wisconsin Lutheran early but got scores from White, Ryan Kurth, Schwartz and Chris Pierce to put it away.

After a Wisconsin Lutheran goal, Kurth’s goal in the 51st minute accounted for the final.

“When we got down 1-0, we kept our composure,” Pacer coach Dan Hahm said. “We knew we would get our opportunities and we were able to finish.”

—Compiled by David Marran