The Aurora University men's lacrosse team won their first contest played on the Spartan Stadium turf on Wednesday afternoon, defeating North Central College 11-8. The Spartans used a dominating third quarter to taka a commanding 10-3 lead and allowing Coach Berkman to play all his Spartans.

GAME INFORMATION -
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 11, North Central College 8
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-0; North Central College 2-1
LOCATION: Montgomery, Illinois - Spartan Athletic Park
 
SPARTAN STARTING LINE UP:
Attack: Josh Boyko
Attack: Gavin Hardersen
Attack: Joey Lucchesi
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 fell behind early 2-0 to the visiting Cardinals.
- Midway through the first quarter the Spartans broke into the scoring column with a tally from Joe Ebel with an assist to Ben Arends.
- Trailing 3-1, Spartan JK Torres scored with 20 seconds to go in the first quarter to change the games momentum heading into the second.
- The Spartans scored three unanswered goals in the second from Arends, Joey Lucchesi and Nick Glaser to take a 5-3 lead into halftime.
- The AU domination continued in the third as AU improved the scoring run to 9-0 with five more unanswered goals.
- The AU coaching staff was able to get all the Spartans into the game in the fourth with freshman Josh Boyko scoring his first collegiate goal in the period.
- AU would go on to win 11-8 as NCC scored three very late goals to make the score closer than the contest.

FOR THE SPARTANS
- Joey Lucchesi had three goals.
- Ben Arends had two goals and two assists.
- JK Torres had two goals.
- Corey Segall had eight ground balls and was 14-of-19 in face-offs.
- Tyler Lombardi earned the win in goal with nine saves.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Points: Ben Arends (4) and Joey Lucchesi (3)
Goals: Joey Lucchesi (3), Ben Arends and JK Torres (2)
Assists: Gavin Hardersen and Ben Arends (2)
Ground balls: Corey Segall (8) and Jameson Morrison (5)
Face offs: Corey Segall (14-of-19)
Saves: Tyler Lombardi (9)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Sunday, March 4 when they travel to Birmingham Southern College. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. (est) in Birmingham, Alabama.