Box Score The Aurora University men's soccer team took on Concordia University Wisconsin Wednesday afternoon in Northern Athletics Conference tournament action. The Spartans eventually fell in a 4-3 shootout to mark the end of the double-overtime thriller.

The first half was tightly contested as both sides tried to impose their will on the game. The Falcons were able to make the first breakthrough of the game as Tyler Harris was able to put away a rebound opportunity following a save by Spartan keeper Ethan Cashen. The goal came just 15 minutes into the half.

AU pushed for an equalizing goal but was unable to find the back of the goal for the remainder of the first half. Although AU did take an 8-6 advantage in shots into the half, they still trailed 1-0.

The Spartans continued to push for a tying goal into the second half. The efforts paid dividends in the 64th minute as junior Corey Novotny was to score a goal of his own. The goal was set up by a beautiful flick by junior Jon Palomar off an Alex Brunell free kick.

The two teams battled it out for the remainder of regulation to no avail for either side, sending the match to overtime. AU out shot Concordia 20-14 through out regulation.

The Falcons came closest to ending the match in overtime. Jacob Pope played a back heel pass wide to Diego Campos who was able to work free for a 30 yard strike that was heading directly for the top left corner of the goal. Cashen made a spectacular diving save to push the ball wide of the goal and preserve the 1-1 tie.

The overtime periods came to a close without either side breaking the deadlock forcing a shootout.

The Spartans were first to take their crack in the shootout. AU sent Novotny to the penalty spot but he was stopped by Falcon keeper Sam Ische who made a great diving save. James Kroll was able to convert on CUW's first opportunity giving them a 1-0 edge. Jason O'Brien buried the next attempt for AU, as did Diego Campos for CUW. AU senior Xavier Carillo put away the third attempt for the Spartans before Cashen came up huge once again by saving Kyle Sytsma's penalty. Jon Rosenbaum was the next Spartan to step up to the spot but his shot went high over the crossbar. Jacob Pope put away his attempt in order to put the pressure on Anthony Parra to score in order for the Spartans to still have a chance. Parra stepped up and buried the penalty. This brought up Ryan Carey for Concordia. Carey took the pressure in stride beating a diving Cashen to give the Falcons the win.

Cashen made nine saves in his final game as a Spartan and finished the season with a 10-5-2 record. Same Ische made 10 save for the Falcons. AU concludes the season with a 12-5-2 overall, while CUW will carry their 11-7-2 record to the conference tournament championship match