The Aurora University men's lacrosse team captured their fourth consecutive Midwest Lacrosse Conference Championship with a 14-9 win at Concordia University Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon.

GAME INFORMATION
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 14, Concordia University Wisconsin 9
RECORDS: Aurora University 14-2; 6-0 MLC; Concordia University Wisconsin 11-4; 5-1 MLC
LOCATION: Mequon, Wisconsin – Fitting Field
LENGTH OF GAME: 1:53
 
SPARTAN STARTING LINE UP:
Attack: Jason Koziol
Attack: Bailey Smith
Attack: Trevor McNamara
Midfield: Sam Hiss
Midfield: Matt Smidlein
Midfield: Will Bradshaw
Defense: Jon Glende
Defense: Bryce Wallgard
Defense: Sean Arfsten
Goalie: Tyler Lombardi
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartans scored first, taking advantage of a man-up opportunity with Bailey Smith scoring on an assist from Jason Koziol.
- CUW won the ensuing face off and scored to tie the game up only six seconds later.
- AU would go on and score four times in the final six minutes of the first quarter to take a commanding 5-1 lead. JK Torres (2), Koziol and Matt Sammarco had the goals.
- CUW scored twice to open up the second quarter and AU Head Coach Kylor Berkman called on Brian Richter to replace Tyler Lombardi in net.
- The Spartans responded and scored the final two goals (Nick Glaser and Smith) of the first-half to lead 7-3 at intermission.
- AU continued to control the games action as the third quarter began with Smith collecting a hat trick and Koziol added his second for a 9-3 lead.
- After a Glaser goal and two from CUW, AU led 10-5 at the end of three quarters.
- Sammarco and Koziol scored in the first 2:36 of the fourth and AU built their largest lead at 12-5.
- Glaser (Sammarco assist) and Koziol (Smidlein assist) rounded out the AU scoring in the game as AU coasted to a 14-9 win.
 
BEYOND THE BOX
AU captured the program's fourth consecutive MLC title in six seasons of play.
The Spartans will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming MLC Tournament.
AU has now won 37 straight regular season MLC games with the last loss on April 7, 2012 to Adrian College.

FOR THE SPARTANS
Jason Koziol had four goals and one assist.
Nick Glaser had three goals and one assist.
Bailey Smith had three goals and one assist.
Matt Sammarco had two goals and one assist.
JK Torres had two goals and one assist.
Brian Richter had seven saves in goal in the winning effort.
Matt Smidlein had an assist while going 15-of-26 in face offs.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Points: Jason Koziol (5)
Goals: Jason Koziol (4)
Assists: Jason Koziol, JK Torres, Trevor McNamara, Bailey Smith, Matt Smidlein, Nick Glaser, Matt Sammarco and Ben Arends (1)
Ground balls: Trevor McNamara (4)
Caused Turnovers: Bryce Wallgard (3)
Face offs: Matt Smidlein (15-26)
Saves: Brian Richter (7)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Wednesday, May 4 when they host Beloit College in the MLC Tournament Game time is set for 4:30 p.m. on Vago Field.