Defense has been key to the early season success for the Aurora University men's soccer team and Saturday afternoon on AU's Vago Field against the Panthers of Principia College was no different. AU defeated the visiting Panthers 2-0, giving the Spartans their fourth shutout in their first seven games of 2014.

It was the AU offense led by Alberto Bustamante who would give the defense some breathing room early as Bustamante found the back of the Principia net off assists from Mathias Warren and Kyle Leyva. The header by Bustamante gave AU a 1-0 lead 17:44 into the game.

Spartan goalkeeper Chris Donner and the defensive group in front of him ran with the lead despite a flurry of shots from the Panthers.

As the teams went into the halftime intermission, AU led 1-0 despite being out shot 5 to 4 in the first half.

The teams played a very intense and at times chippy second half with five yellow cards being handed out in the second frame.

With just under two minutes to play in the game, the Spartans struck again to give themselves room to exhale. Freshman Tyler Siebert made a long run down the right side in front of the AU bench and after getting tangled up with the Panther defender, recaptured possession and found a streaking Jacob Goehring in front of the Principia net. Goehring took advantage of the space and blistered a shot past the Panther goalkeeper for a 2-0 AU lead.

The Spartans held in in the final minute for the win to improve to 4-1-2 overall on the season. Donner imrpoved to 3-0 on the season in goal with all three being shutouts.

Next action for the Spartan men's soccer team comes on Saturday, September 20 when they travel to Millikin University. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. in Decatur, Illinois.