The Aurora University men's lacrosse team opened the 2016 season on Saturday afternoon when they hosted The BlueStreaks of John Carroll University. Led by eight goals from Bailey Smith the Spartans defeated John Carroll 17-11.
 
GAME INFORMATION
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 17 ; John Carroll University 11
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-0; John Carroll University 0-1
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois – Vago Field
WEATHER: Sunny, 10 degrees, Real Feel -1
LENGTH OF GAME: 2:03
 
SPARTAN STARTING LINE UP:
Midfield: JK Torres
Midfield: Corey Segall
Attack: Trevor McNamara
Attack: Bailey Smith
Attack: Jason Koziol
LSM: Josh Favorite
Defense: Jon Glende
Defense: Bryce Wallgard
Defense: Grant James
Goalie: Tyler Lombardi
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
AU took the first score of the season and game from Matt Sammarco just 39 seconds into the first quarter.
John Carroll would score three unanswered goals in the span of the 3 minutes to take the 3-1 lead.
AU would rally to tie the game at 3-3 behind goals from Sammarco and McNamara (JD Kettle and Bailey Smith assisted).
John Carroll would score three straight goals to extend their lead 6-3.
AU's McNamara scored with 0:02 remaining in the opening quarter.
At the end of one, AU trailed 6-4.
JCU scored three of the first four goals of the second quarter and led 9-5.
Spartan Bailey Smith scored four times in the quarter and AU trailed 9-8 going into halftime.
In the third, AU scored three times in the first seven minutes to take a 11-9 lead. Goals came from Smith, McNamara and Koziol.
At the end of the third, AU led 12-10 following another Smith goal.
The Spartan trio continued to score in the fourth with Koziol scoring twice, Smith twice and McNamara once.
When the final horn sounded, AU won 17-11.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Points: 9 - Bailey Smith
Goals: 8 –  Smith
Assists: 3 – Trevor McNamara and Jason Koziol
Saves: 5 – Brian Richter and Tyler Lombardi
Win: 1-0 - Richter
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Saturday, February 20, 2016 when they travel to Illinois Wesleyan University. Face-off is set for 1:00 p.m. in Bloomington, Illinois.