The Aurora University men's soccer team came back from an early deficit in the quarterfinal round of the 2023 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference against Rockford University. After going down in the third minute, the Spartans came roaring back and took control of the game with three goals in the second half. 


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 4, Rockford University 1
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park - Montgomery, Illinois
RECORD: Aurora University 14-3-3 and 10-0-2 in the NACC


- Rockford scored the game's first goal in the third minute on a breakaway.
- About six minutes later, Enrique Gonzalez nearly found the back of the Rockford net to tie the game up but a sprawling save kept the ball out of the net.
- The Spartans would eventually tie the score after Gonzalez and Alex Sandoval set up Anthony Marmolejo for a goal in the 19th minute.
- The game remained tied heading into the halftime break.
- AU out shot Rockford 22-8 in the first half, including 8-4 with shots on goal.
- Just over eight minutes into the second half, AU took control with Jaziel Enrqiuez finding Branden Dolezal to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead.
- In the 59th minute, Gonzalez was able to convert off a penalty kick to put AU up 3-1.
- The dangerous Spartan offense didn't stop there, as Gio Viillegas fired one into the back of the Rockford net off the double assist from Gonzalez and Dolezal.
- AU would win 4-1 when the clock hit 0:00.
- The Spartans out shot Rockford 21-3 in the second half and 43-11 in the game.


POINTS: Enrique Gonzalez (3)
GOALS: Enrique Gonzalez, Anthony Marmolejo, Gio Villegas and Branden Dolezal (1)
ASSISTS: Enrique Gonzalez (2), Jaziel Enriquez, Alex Sandoval and Branden Dolezal (1)
SAVES: Jalen Depenbrock (3)


Next action for the Spartan men's soccer team comes on Tuesday, October 31 when they host the semifinal round of the 2023 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament. AU will host Dominican University. Opening kick slated for 7:00 p.m. at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois.