The Aurora University men's lacrosse team got off to a slow start but overcame the hurdle and defeated Concordia University Wisconsin 13-11 in the 2016 Midwest Lacrosse Conference Tournament Championship. The win is the fourth straight for the Spartans.

GAME INFORMATION
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 13, Concordia University Wisconsin 11
RECORDS: Aurora University 16-2; Concordia University Wisconsin 12-5
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois – Vago Field
LENGTH OF GAME: 1:59
WEATHER: Sunny, 68 degrees, Wind - 15-30 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
- AU fell behind early 3-0 before Trevor McNamara scored the Spartans first goal with 3:23 left in the first.
- CUW added a goal just before the end of the first to lead 4-1.
- Spartan Jason Koziol scored early in the second with a McNamara assist but CUW answered with a goal a few minutes later.
- Late in the first-half, AU got a goal from Matt Sammarco with an assist from McNamara. AU would trail 5-3 at halftime.
- AU's struggles continued early in the third as CUW scored three times despite two goals from Koziol, AU trailed 8-5 midway through the session.
- The Spartans ended the third on a 4-0 run with goals from Nick Glaser, Sammarco, McNamara (man-up) and Bailey Smith.
- AU was aided by numerous CUW face-off violations in the late third and fourth period.
- Spartan Bailey Smith continued the AU run to 5-0 with a tally at 13:07 on an assist from Jason Koziol.
- CUW scored twice in less than a minute to tie the game at 10-10 with 9:22 to go.
- But AU showed poise and scored three straight goals (McNamara, Koziol and Glaser) in a span of 2:23 to take a commanding 13-10 lead.
- CUW tallied the games final goal with 1:39 to go but AU easily ran out the final time and won 13-11.

BEYOND THE BOX
- AU captured the program's fourth consecutive MLC Tournament title in six seasons of play.
- The Spartans advance to their fourth consecutive NCAA Division III Championships.
- AU tied the single season record for wins with their 16th (16-2).

FOR THE SPARTANS
Jason Koziol had four goals and five assists.
Trevor McNamara had three goals and four assists.
Matt Smidlein had two assists, seven ground balls and was 19-of-25 on face offs.
Bailey Smith had two goals
Matt Sammarco had two goals.
Nick Glaser had two goals.
Tyler Lombardi had five saves in the winning effort.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Points: Jason Koziol (9)
Goals: Jason Koziol (4) and Trevor McNamara (3)
Assists: Jason Koziol (5)
Ground balls: Matt Smidlein (7) and Will Bradshaw (6)
Caused Turnovers: Will Bradshaw (2)
Face offs: Matt Smidlein (19-25)
Saves: Tyler Lombardi (5)
 
UP NEXT
The Spartan men's lacrosse team advances to the 2016 NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championships. AU will find out the opponent and location of their game on Wednesday, May 11 when the NCAA announces the field on Sunday, May 8 at 9:00 p.m. (EST) on NCAA.com. To watch the selection show, click here