The Aurora University men's lacrosse team hosted the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan University on Friday, February 20 for the 2015 season and home opener.  The Spartans were victorious, winning 16-10, breaking the routine of an early season slump for the Spartans.
 

The Spartans stepped onto Vago field in the bitter cold as the falling snow was beginning to slow. The Titan struck first at 13:51 with a high bounce shot just above AU keeper Cameron Brooks.  Brooks, however, would refuse to be knocked out of cage and remained a wall holding the Titans to only five goals with six saves in the first half. 
 

AU, got off to a slow start but began a three goal run started by freshman Trevor McNamara at 12:08. McNamara stood among Aurora's top scorers on the day as he posted four goals and two assists in his career opener. McNamara was not alone though as sophomore Bailey Smith recorded four goals and senior Nolan Miller had three goals and three assists. AU also welcomed back a familiar face in Garret Rosiek after he spent 2014 with an injury. Rosiek started the 2015 campaign right where he finished 2013, handing out assists, he finished with five assists and one goal.

Smith and Miller added the goals in the three goal run to give AU a lead they would never relinquish. After a Titan goal cut the score to 3-2, AU went on another 3-0 run into the second period. Freshman Nick Glaser started it off with Miller and Rosiek tallying goals.
 

As the Spartans pushed forward in the cold and gained a full swing of momentum going into halftime leading 11-5. Adding goals in the first half were Miller, freshman JK Torres and McNamara scored three more times.

The Spartans sought the locker room to break from the bitter temperatures and came back for the second half with fire. The Spartans opened the second half with a 5-2 run over the Titans leaving the score securely at 16-7 early in the fourth period. Smith scored three times, senior Max Obriecht scored his first goal of 2015 and junior transfer Matt Sammarco scored the Spartans only man-up goal of the game.
 

The Titans, however, refused to be shunned and scored three goals in the closing minutes of the game to bring the final to 16-10. On the day, AU went 21 of 30 in the face-off department led by an 18 of 22 performance by Obriecht who added two assists and 19 ground balls to his one goal.

Brooks earned the win playing the first-half with freshman Brian Richter playing the second-half and had four saves. With the win, AU is now 1-0 on the season. Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Saturday, February 28, 2015 when they host Albion College. Game time is set for 12:00 p.m. in Aurora, Illinois.