The Aurora University men's lacrosse team opened up the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference schedule with a 14-3 victory over Illinois Institute of Technology. AU scored 11 unanswered goals to secure the win. Special guests from Riverside City College Chamber Singers under the direction of John Byun, father of Spartan
Mikail Byun performed a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
GAME SCORE: Aurora University 14, Illinois Institute of Technology 3
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park - Montgomery, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 5-5 overall and 1-0 NACC
- The Spartans scored on a
Ben Strub scorching shot 1:11 into the game.
- The game remained 1-0 AU as the wet conditions from sporadic rain showers caused some sloppy action on the field.
- IIT tied the game with 2:47 left in the first.
-
Reilan Pura put AU back in front with 55 seconds left on an assist from Strub.
- Just before the first quarter ended, IIT tied the game 2-2.
- The score again remained tied 2-2 for a long stretch into the second quarter.
- With 2:46 left in the first-half,
Zach Bernstein scored an unassisted tally which ignited the Spartans.
- Bernstein's tally started a run for AU that would span well into the fourth quarter and 11 unanswered goals.
- In the second, Strub scored twice at 1:57 from Bernstein and at 13 seconds while
Jimmy Gorecki scored eight seconds after a man-up chance with an assist from
Andy Trenary
- AU went to halftime, leading 6-2.
- The Spartans scored four third quarter goals to lead 10-2.
- The third quarter goals came from Brody Macdonald, Strub, Bernstein and Trenary.
Mikail Byun assisted on the Strub goal.
- With AU in complete control heading to the fourth, the lead expanded to 13-2 on goals from Trenary (Pura assist) and two from Macdonald (assists from Strub and Pura).
- IIT ended the AU scoring run with 5:24 left in the fourth.
-
Carson Leader rounded out the games scoring with 1:49 left in the contest with Brody Macdonald assisting.
- AU won the NACC opener 14-3 with
Phillip Gianelle stopping 16 of the 19 shots sent his direction.
Points: Ben Strub (6),
Zach Bernstein and Brody Macdonald (4)
Goals:
Ben Strub (4) and Brody Macdonald (3)
Assists:
Zach Bernstein,
Ben Strub and
Reilan Pura (2)
Ground balls: Connor Hoeft (7)
Caused Turnovers: Ethan Dosen and
Connor Hoeft (2)
Saves: Phillip Gianelle (16)
Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Saturday, April 9 when they host Marian University. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m. at Spartan Athletic Park.
