The Aurora University men's soccer team battled the Dominican Stars to a 2-2 draw in double overtime on a rainy, blustery night at Spartan Athletic Park.  With the tie the Spartans earned a share of the 2019 NACC regular season conference title, which they will share with Dominican. Based on tie breaker criteria, the AU men's soccer team has secured the number two seed in the conference tournament, which starts this Saturday. The Spartans have earned a buy in the first round and will play the highest seed remaining in the semifinals. 

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 2, Dominican University 2 (2 OT)
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 13-4-1 (10-0-1 NACC); Dominican University 14-2-3 (10-0-1 NACC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-  24 minutes into the first half, the Stars jumped out to a 1-0 lead when they scored off a corner kick.
- The Spartans had several opportunities to tie the game leading into halftime, but could not find the back of the net.
- Dominican lead at halftime, 1-0.
- At the 52 minute mark, a miscue between the Spartan defense and the goalkeeper, lead to an own goal, and the Spartans trailed 2-0.
- The Spartans would continue to battle and saw the momentum shift back their way when Connor Erickson's diving header off a corner kick slid past the Stars' keeper, cutting the Dominican lead in half. The goal was assisted by Salvador Garcia. 
- Just two minutes later, the Spartans drew a penalty kick on a foul by the Stars' goalkeeper. Eduardo Carrillo evened the score at 2-2 as he sailed his PK shot past the goalie. 
- With 2:27 left in regulation, Spartan Justin Rutherford was sent on a breakaway. Pressured by the Star goalie, his shot hit the far post and bounced out, nearly giving AU a late lead.
- Regulation would end with the score tied 2-2.
- AU controlled much of the tempo in the second-half and overtime sessions with 19 of their 23 shots coming over the final 65 minutes.
- Two additional 10 minute overtime periods were not enough to give either team the victory and the final game of the Spartans' regular season would go on to end in a 2-2 draw.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
GOALS:  Connor Erickson and Eduardo Carrillo (1)
ASSISTS: Salvador Garcia (1)
SAVES: Jalen Depenbrock (3) and Edgar Rodriguez (1)

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's soccer team comes on Tuesday, November 5 when they host the highest seed remaining (3,4,5) in the NACC Semifinal game. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois.