The Aurora University men's lacrosse team opened up the 2017 season with a thrilling 14-10 victory over Illinois Wesleyan University in a match-up of two of the top teams in the Midwest.

GAME INFORMATION -
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 14, Illinois Wesleyan University  10
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-0; Illinois Wesleyan University 0-1
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois – Vago Field
WEATHER: 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: Chad Ronk
Defense: Bryce Wallgard
Defense: Sean Arfsten
Goalie: Tyler Lombardi
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The teams traded goals, three each in the opening seven minutes of the game.
10 seconds after a Bailey Smith goal, Dustin Rhodes scored an unassisted goal to give the Spartans their first lead of the game.
IWU scored the last two goals of the first period and led the Spartans 5-4.
With 8:59 to play in the second, Wesleyan led 7-5 and forced an AU timeout.
After a defensive stop, the Spartan offense went to work and a momentum changing play ensued. AU junior Trevor McNamara pulled off the trick play of all trick plays when he faked out the entire IWU defense and sniped a shot from 27 yards away.
AU responded to score twice more and led 8-7 going into halftime. Jason Koziol and McNamara scored the final two goals.
The Spartans kept the momentum going in the third, shutting out the Titans while Koziol scored a man-up goal and Sam Hiss got his first tally of the season.
Heading into the fourth, AU led 10-7.
The AU lead grew to 12-7 with goals from Ben Arends and McNamara early in the fourth.
IWU snapped the AU 28:49 scoring run (seven goals) with a tally at 11:14 of the fourth.
Spartan Bailey Smith added two goals to give AU a 14-8 lead in the final minutes.
AU would go on to win 14-10, knocking off the preseason favorite to win the other Midwest Conference in the CCIW.

FOR THE SPARTANS
Trevor McNamara had three goals and two assists. Including this highlight goal. Watch now
Jason Koziol had two goals and two assists.
Bailey Smith had three goals.
Matt Smidlein was 12-of-27 on face offs.
Tyler Lombardi had 13 saves in the winning effort.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Points: Trevor McNamara (5) and Jason Koziol (4)
Goals: Trevor McNamara and Bailey Smith (3)
Assists: Trevor McNamara and Jason Koziol (2)
Ground balls: Tyler Lombardi and Matt Smidlein (4)
Caused Turnovers: Bryce Wallgard (3)
Face offs: Matt Smidlein (12-27)
Saves: Tyler Lombardi (13)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Saturday, February 25 when they travel to York College of Pennsylvania. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. (EST) in York, Pennsylvania.