The Aurora University men's lacrosse team jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they easily coasted past the Eagles of Benedictine University on a rainy Wednesday night in Lisle, Illinois.

GAME INFORMATION
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 19, Benedictine University 9
RECORDS: Aurora University 11-2; 4-0 MLC; Benedictine University 9-4; 2-2 MLC
LOCATION: Lisle, Illinois – Lisle Sports Complex
LENGTH OF GAME: 1:57
WEATHER: 60 F, Rainy, Cool, Wind S 10 mph
 
SPARTAN STARTING LINE UP:
Attack: Jason Koziol
Attack: Bailey Smith
Attack: Trevor McNamara
Midfield: Will Bradshaw
Midfield: Matt Smidlein
Midfield: Sam Hiss
Defense: Jon Glende 
Defense: Bryce Wallgard
Defense: Sean Arfsten
Goalie: Tyler Lombardi
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- AU opened up the scoring with early tallies from JD Kettle and Matt Smidlein.
- After BU got on the board, AU ran off a 4-0 run into the second quarter and led 6-1.
- BU scored twice to cut the Spartan lead to 6-3 but the veteran Spartans were not phased and got goals from Alex Gebben and Nick Glaser to head into halftime up 8-3.
- Glaser and Will Bradshaw scored early in the third quarter and led 10-3.
- The teams traded goals before AU finished the quarter with the final three tallies and led by 10 at 16-6 heading into the fourth.
- As rain continued to fall, AU held off the Eagles, matching every goal with an answer and coasted to the 19-9 win.
 
FOR THE SPARTANS
Ben Arends had two goals and three assists.
JK Torres had two goals and three assists.
Nick Glaser had three goals.
Bailey Smith had three goals.
Jason Koziol had two goals and two assists.
Matt Smidlein had two goals, one assist, 15 ground balls and was 16-of-27 on face offs.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Points: JK Torres and Ben Arends (5)
Goals: Nick Glaser and Bailey Smith (3)
Assists: JK Torres and Ben Arends (3)
Ground balls: Matt Smidlein (15)
Caused Turnovers: Will Bradshaw and Trevor McNamara (2)
Face offs: Matt Smidlein (16-of-27)
Saves: Tyler Lombardi (7)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Saturday, April 23 when they travel to Greencastle, Indiana and DePauw University. AU will take on Wittenberg University at 4:00 p.m. (EST).