For the fourth time in as many years the Aurora University men's lacrosse team saw themselves in the NCAA Division III Championships second round or Sweet 16. The second round was once again unkind to AU as the Spartans fell to Denison 12-3.

GAME INFORMATION - 2016 NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championships Second-Round
FINAL SCORE: Denison University 12, Aurora University 3
RECORDS: Aurora University 17-3; Denison University 18-1
LOCATION: Granville, Ohio – Piper Stadium
LENGTH OF GAME: 1:45
ATTENDANCE: 275
 
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
- Denison jumped out to a 3-0 lead as AU had scoring chances hit the post and cross bar.
- Midway through the first, AU's Alex Gebben scored for the Spartans to cut the deficit to 3-1.
- After leading 3-1 after the first, Denison scored early in the second to take a 4-2 lead.
- The Spartans kept up the pressure though as they scored with 9:58 on the clock with Trevor McNamara scoring on a fast break.
- Denison would score the only other goal of the first-half on an extra-man opportunity midway through the second.
- At halftime, AU trailed 5-2.
- Denison scored the only two goals in the third and led 7-2 entering the fourth.
- Denison added five fourth quarter tallies, one being with an extra-man and led AU 12-2 with 3:30 left.
- AU senior Max Matthai would add his final goal of his career at 1:50 with an assist from Alex Gebben.
- The final score would be 12-3.

BEYOND THE BOX
- The Spartans played in their fourth consecutive NCAA Division III Championships Sweet 16.
- AU set a new single season record for wins with their 17th (17-3).

FOR THE SPARTANS
Alex Gebben had one goal and one assist.
Max Matthai had one goal.
Trevor McNamara had one goal.
Matt Smidlein had one goal and was 10-of-26 on face offs.
Brian Richter had 10 saves.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Points: Alex Gebben (2)
Goals: Alex Gebben , Trevor McNamara and Max Matthai (1)
Assists: Alex Gebben (1)
Ground balls: Sam Hiss (4)
Caused Turnovers: Josh Favorite and Jon Glende (2)
Face offs: Matt Smidlein (9-18)
Saves: Brian Richter(10)
 
UP NEXT
The AU men's lacrosse team concludes the 2016 season with a 17-3 overall record, the fourth straight Midwest Lacrosse Conference Championship and fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Sweet 16.