The Aurora University men's lacrosse team hosted Hope College Wednesday evening. The Spartans ran out to an early lead but saw the game head to overtime where they defeated the Flying Dutchmen 9-8. The Spartans won in a goal from junior Zach Bernstein with just 23 seconds left in the overtime period.


GAME SCORE: Aurora University 9, Hope College 8
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park - Montgomery, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 4-2 overall ; Hope College 5-2 overall


- The Spartans fell behind 1-0 8:58 into the game.
- Shortly after Spartan Jimmy Gorecki would score for AU.
- The Flying Dutchmen would come back with another to take a 2-1 lead with 14 seconds left in the first.
- Spartan Zach Manuel answered quickly on a goal assisted by Anthony Carieri with 7 seconds remaining in the first.
- AU was tied 2-2 with Hope after the first quarter.
- Jimmy Gorecki started the scoring for the Spartans in the second. He was assisted by Brody Macdonald.
- Zach Bernstein followed shortly scoring an unassisted tally and AU led 4-2.
- With 7:05 to go, Hope would find the back of the AU net to pull within one.
- AU led 4-3 going to halftime. 
- The Spartans opened the third with a man-up goal from Ben Strub.
- Spartan Reilan Pura would score his first of the game to the Spartans a 6-3 lead.
- AU freshman Ben Strub scored his second of the night to put the Spartans up 7-3 with 5:17 remaining in the third. 
- The Flying Dutchmen and Spartans would trade goals to start the fourth.
- Mikail Byun joined in on the scoring action with 10:51 left and AU led  8-4.
- Hope responded with three goals and pulled within one 8-7 with 1:36 remaining.
- With 45 seconds left in regulation, Hope scored to tie the game 8-8 resulting in a four minute overtime. 
- Spartan Zach Bernstein scored the game winning goal with 23 seconds left in overtime and the Spartans were victorious 9-8. (Watch it here)


Points: Zach Bernstein (3), Jimmy Gorecki and Ben Strub (2)
Goals: Zach Bernstein, Jimmy Gorecko and Ben Strub (2)
Assists: Anthony Carieri, Zach Bernstein, and Brody Macdonald (1)
Ground balls: Ethan Dosen (9)
Caused Turnovers: Ethan Dosen (4)
Saves: Phillip Gianelle (6)


Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Saturday, March 26 when they travel to Albion College. Game time is set for 12:00 p.m. (cst) / 1:00 p.m. (est) in Albion, Michigan.  Read Full Article