The Aurora University men's lacrosse team coasted to a 17-5 victory in the Midwest Lacrosse Conference Tournament semi-final over Beloit College Wednesday afternoon on Vago Field.

GAME INFORMATION
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 17, Beloit College 4
RECORDS: Aurora University 15-2; Beloit College 5-10
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois – Vago Field
LENGTH OF GAME: 1:59
WEATHER: Cloudy, 54 degrees, Wind - 15-25 NNW
 
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
- Aurora jumped out to a quick 5-0 nothing lead with goals from Will Bradshaw (JK Torres), Bradshaw (Koziol), man up from Bailey Smith (Ben Arends), Smith (Torres), Koziol ( McNamara).
- Beloit scored with 5:00 minutes remaining in the first quarter to make the score 5-1.
- 5-1 would be the score heading into the second period.
- AU scored three more goals from Matt Sammarco (Torres), McNamara (Koziol) and Hiss (Smidlein) in the second.
- Beloit scored once more in the half and AU would head into halftime leading 8-2.
- Aurora scored five goals in the third to extend their lead to 13-3 heading into the fourth.
- The Spartans outscored Beloit 4-2 in the fourth quarter and coasted to a 17-5 victory.
- Spartan junior Matt Smidlein was dominant at the dot, winning 16-of-19 face offs including a perfect 7-of-7 in the third.

BEYOND THE BOX
- The Spartans will host their fourth consecutive MLC Tournament Championship game.
- AU is 8-2 all-time in the MLC tournament.
- AU will compete for their fourth consecutive MLC Championship.

FOR THE SPARTANS
Trevor McNamara had three goals and two assists.
Bailey Smith had three goals
Jason Koziol had two goals and three assists.
Ben Arends had two goals and two assists.
Matt Smidlein had one goal, one assist, nine ground balls and was 16-of-19 on face offs.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Points: Jason Koziol and Trevor McNamara (5)
Goals: Trevor McNamara and Bailey Smith (3)
Assists: Jason Koziol and JK Torres (3)
Ground balls: Matt Smidlein (9)
Caused Turnovers: Jon Glende, Bryce Wallgard, Josh Favorite (2)
Face offs: Matt Smidlein (16-19)
Saves: Tyler Lombardi (3)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Saturday, May 7 when they host the 2016 Midwest Lacrosse Conference Tournament Championship. AU will host Concordia University Wisconsin with a 1:00 p.m. start time on Vago Field.