Box Score The Aurora University men's soccer team took on #11 Dominican University
Wednesday afternoon on Vago Field. The defensive struggle resulted in a 1-0 loss for the Spartans.
The first half saw the two teams struggle to gain control of the game. With around 27 minutes to play in the first half AU freshman midfielder
Fabio Aiello took his man one on one creating just enough space to get a shot off from the corner of the 18 yard box. The shot forced a back peddling Dominican goalkeeper Max Gutbrod to tip the ball over the crossbar for an AU corner kick.The ensuing corner kicked forced a spectacular save from Gutbrod as he was able to tip a Spartan header wide of the goal frame.
The Star's best opportunity of the first half came off an Andy Lynch free kick. Lynch struck a bending ball towards the top right corner of the goal from about 30 yards out that Spartan keeper
Ethan Cashen was able to deal with without any cause for concern.
While DU was able to out shoot the Spartans in the first half 9-4 they never really threatened to score putting just one other shot on goal during the half. The two teams played out the half battling for
possession and working for scoring chances but neither side was able to breakthrough. Bringing the half to a close with the score 0-0.
The scoreless tie didn't last long into the second half. DU striker Logan Marvin was able to create enough space to get a shot off that beat a diving Cashen to give the Stars the lead just 48 seconds into the half.
AU responded well to the goal as they dominated possession and continually pressured the Stars back line for the next 10 minutes but were unable to tie the game up.
The Spartans got a great opportunity with 15 minutes to play in the match. Junior
Keion Joseph won a ball in midfield and was able to turn a play a cross field ball over the top of the DU defense to senior forward
Xavier Carrillo. Carrillo struck the bouncing ball first time but was unable to put his shot on goal and hit the side netting.
The Spartans continued to pressure DU but were unable to tie the game up in the end. The Stars held a 14-10 shot advantage over AU for the match.
Cashen had four saves in net for the Spartans but suffered the loss bringing his record to 6-4-1 on the season. Gutbrod was credited with the win for the Stars making his record 9-1 on the season. The Spartans are now 8-4-1 on the season and 4-2-1 in the Northern Athletics Conference. While the Stars improved their record to
10-1-1 overall and 7-0 in the NAC.
AU will be in action once again on
Sunday, October 14 as they take on Lakeland College in a NAC match up at Vago Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 11:30 am.
