For the fourth time in as many years the Aurora University men's lacrosse team advanced to the NCAA Division III Championships, this time in dramatic fashion as they defeated Albion College 12-11 in overtime.

GAME INFORMATION - 2016 NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championships First-Round
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 12, Albion College 11
RECORDS: Aurora University 17-2; Albion College 13-5
LOCATION: Albion, Michigan – Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium
LENGTH OF GAME: 2:02
ATTENDANCE: 334
WEATHER: Partly sunny, 68 degrees
 
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
- AU scored the games first four goals of the game with scores coming from Jason Koziol, Sam Hiss, Matt Smidlein and Matt Sammarco.
- Albion scored their first tally of the day at 13:24 of the second.
- The Spartans got a pair of man-up goals from Ben Arends and Trevor McNamara to lead 6-1.
- Albion scored the final goal of the half and AU led 6-2 going into halftime.
- The teams traded goals in the third quarter with AU getting all three goals from Jason Koziol.
- Albion scored early in the 4th and AU only led 9-8.
- A pair of man-up AU goals from Trevor McNamara and Nick Glaser gave AU an 11-8 lead.
- Albion scored the final three goals of the 4th and when the horn ended, the game was tied 11-11.
- In overtime, with 53 seconds to go Trevor McNamara scored to win the game 12-11.

BEYOND THE BOX
- The Spartans advance to their fourth consecutive NCAA Division III Championships Sweet 16.
- AU set a new single season record for wins with their 17th (17-2).

FOR THE SPARTANS
Jason Koziol had four goals and three assists.
Nick Glaser had one goal and four assists.
Trevor McNamara had three goals.
Matt Smidlein had one goal and was 10-of-26 on face offs.
Tyler Lombardi had 10 saves in the winning effort.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Points: Jason Koziol (7)
Goals: Jason Koziol (4)
Assists: Nick Glaser (4)
Ground balls: Will Bradshaw (4)
Caused Turnovers: Will Bradshaw and Sam Hiss (2)
Face offs: Matt Smidlein (10-26)
Saves: Tyler Lombardi (10)
 
UP NEXT
The Spartan men's lacrosse team advances to the 2016 NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championships Sweet 16 (second round). AU will travel to Denison University on Saturday, May 14. Game time is yet to be announced for the game in Granville, Ohio.