The 2018 season opener for the Aurora University men's soccer team was a thriller at Spartan Athletic Park. Unfortunately for the Spartans, they came up short as they fell 3-2.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Fontbonne University 3, Aurora University 2  
LOCATION: Montgomery, Illinois – Spartan Stadium
RECORDS: Aurora University 0-1; Fontbonne University 1-0
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The AU Spartans took charge of their first match with a goal in the ninth minute from Justin Rutherford with an assist from Kyle Seymour.
- In the 14^th minute Fontbonne responded with a goal of their own, evening the game up at 1-1.
- Three short minutes later Collin Foreman took advantage of the Fontbonne defense sending the ball to the back of the net for Aurora's second goal of the game. AU led 2-1 in the 17^th minute.
- The Spartans took their 2-1 lead with them into the half.
- In the 55^th minute Fontbonne tied the match back up at 2-2 with another goal of their own.
- It appeared the Spartans had taken a 3-2 lead after a goal but an offside call negated the goal and the score remained 2-2 in the 71^st minute.
- AU trailed 3-2 in the 79^th minute after a Fontbonne goal scored after an AU turnover deep in the defensive zone.
- The Spartans were not able to find the back of the net and fell to Fontbonne by a score of 3-2/
 
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
GOALS: Justin Rutherford and Collin Foreman (1)
ASSISTS: Kyle Seymour (1)
SHOTS ON GOAL: Justin Rutherford (3) and five Spartans with two
SAVES: Edward St Martin (2)

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's soccer team comes on Sunday, September 2 when they host Illinois College. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m. at Spartan Stadium in Montgomery, Illinois.