The Aurora University men's lacrosse team used a strong defensive effort and big saves from freshman goalie Phillip Gianelle to get past Elmhurst College 7-6 to open up their season on Wednesday afternoon. 

GAME INFORMATION
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 7, Elmhurst College 6
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-0; Elmhurst College 2-1
LOCATION: Montgomery, Illinois – Spartan Athletic Park
 
SPARTAN STARTING LINE UP:
Attack: Josh Boyko
Attack: Harrison Canaday
Attack: Braden Toll
Midfield: Ryan Griffin
Midfield: Josh Favorite
Midfield: Jameson Morrison
Defense: Jayden Silva
Defense: Bryce Wallgard
Defense: Sean Arfsten
Goalie: Phillip Gianelle
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Elmhurst scored first with a goal 6:12 into the game. 
- Elmhurst scored their second goal after the teams traded shots for the next 5 minutes and led AU 2-0 with 3:33 to go in the first quarter.
- AU got their first goal of the 2019 season from Kellen Moczynski with 2:28 left in the first. Jameson Morrison assisted on the play.
- A controversial play led to the third Elmhurst goal as the Spartans fired a long shot that was called a turnover by the officials. Elmhurst turned that into an odd man break and now led 3-1.
- AU responded with a pair of goals, a Braden Toll breakaway and a shot from beyond midfield from Bryce Wallgard and the Spartans tied the game 3-3 with 5:19 left in the first half.
- AU went into halftime trailing 4-3.
- Spartan sophomore Josh Boyko got the Spartans going in the third quarter with not one but two behind the back goals and AU led 5-4.
- Moczynski scored just before the third quarter ended to give AU the lead back.
- The Spartans took a 6-5 lead into the fourth quarter.
- The teams defenses tightened up in the fourth with no goals for nearly the first 10 minutes of the final quarter.
- A third goal of the day by Kellen Moczynski gave the Spartans a two goal lead with 5:19 remaining in the game. Jameson Morrison got his third assist of the day on the play.
- With 50 seconds remaining in the game and the Spartans a man-down, Elmhurst scored to cut the lead down to one at 7-6 
- AU gained possession on the face-off after the goal and tried to run out the clock but Elmhurst caused a turnover near midfield and got one last shot off just before time expired.
- Phillip Gianelle made a tremendous save to secure the Spartan victory. 

BEYOND THE BOX
- Aurora University Head Coach, Reid Mayberry earned his first win as a Spartan.

FOR THE SPARTANS
- Kellen Moczynski had three goals.
- Josh Boyko had two goals. 
- Jameson Morrison had three assists.
- Ryan Griffin won 13 of 16 face-offs.
- Phillip Gianelle had nine saves in the winning effort.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Points: Kellen Moczynski and Jameson Morrison (3)
Goals: Kellen Moczynski (3) and Josh Boyko (2)
Assists: Jameson Morrison (3)
Ground balls: Ryan Griffin (13)
Caused Turnovers: Bryce Wallgard (5)
Face offs: Ryan Griffin (13-16)
Saves: Phillip Gianelle (9)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Wednesday, March 13 when they host Concordia University Chicago. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m. at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois.