The Aurora University men's lacrosse team played a low scoring defensive contest at Elmhurst College and defeated the Blue Jays 8-7 in the season opener for the Spartans.

GAME INFORMATION -
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 8, Elmhurst College 7
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-0; Elmhurst College 1-1
LOCATION: Elmhurst, Illinois
 
SPARTAN STARTING LINE UP:
Attack: Ben Arends
Attack: Gavin Hardersen
Attack: Tanner Lerdahl
Midfield: Jameson Morrison
Midfield: Corey Segall
Midfield: Josh Favorite
Defense: Chad Ronk
Defense: Bryce Wallgard
Defense: Sean Arfsten
Goalie: Tyler Lombardi
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- AU took an early 1-0 lead with Joey Lucchesi getting the offense rolling with an assist to Gavin Hardersen.
- Late in the first and down 2-1, Tanner Lerdahl scored with a Ben Arends assist.
- Elmhurst had the only goal in the second and AU trailed 3-2 going into halftime.
- In the third, JK Torres scored two goals and Lucchesi added one and AU was tied with Elmhurst 5-5 heading to the fourth.
- Elmhurst scored a pair of man-up goals early in the fourth and took a 7-5 lead on AU.
- The Spartans showed their veteran presence as Torres scored a goal in between a pair of Lucchesi tallies.
- The final goal came off the stick of Lucchesi with 2:21 to go.
- The Spartans won the ensuing face-off and ran out the clock for the win.

FOR THE SPARTANS
- Joey Lucchesi had four goals including the game winning goal with 2:21 to go in the fourth quarter.
- JK Torres had three goals.
- Corey Segall had seven ground balls and was 12-of-19 in face-offs.
- Tyler Lombardi earned the win in goal with 14 saves.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Points: Joey Lucchesi (4) and JK Torres (3)
Goals: Joey Lucchesi (4) and JK Torres (3)
Assists: Ben Arends (2)
Ground balls: Corey Segall (7)
Face offs: Corey Segall (12-of-19)
Saves: Tyler Lombardi (14)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Wednesday, February 28 when they host North Central College. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. on Spartan Stadium at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois.