The Aurora University men's lacrosse team dropped their first contest of the 2023 season, a tightly played road matchup at Hope College. AU fell 9-6.


GAME SCORE: Hope College 9, Aurora University 6
LOCATION: Holland, Michigan
RECORDS: Aurora University 2-1 overall ; Hope College 1-1 overall


- The Spartans and Hope were scoreless in the first quarter until AU's Ben Strub scored just before the final horn sounded.
- AU took the 1-0 lead into the second.
- Hope scored twice to take a 2-1 lead before the Spartans answered with two more of their own.
- Jimmy Gorecki collected his 100th career AU point with a goal before Carson Leader scored with a man-up two minutes later to put AU ahead 3-2.
- Just before the half, Hope scored to tie the game 3-3 which would be the score heading to halftime.
- As he did to start the game, Strub starting the second-half scoring 2:32 into the third.
- Four unanswered Hope goals ended the third as AU trailed 7-4.
- Reilan Pura and Jimmy Gorecki scored early in the fourth to pull the Spartans to down one at 7-6.
- The score remained 7-6 until a Hope man-up goal with 1:54 to play and the home team followed with a goal with 1:06 left.
- AU would fall in a hard fought battle 9-6.


Points: Reilan Pura, Ben Strub and Jimmy Gorecki (2)
Goals: Ben Strub and Jimmy Gorecki (2)
Assists: Reilan Pura, Tyler Foerstel and Kyle Bosshart (1)
Ground balls: Phillip Gianelle (7) 
Caused Turnovers: Seven Spartans (1)
Saves: Phillip Gianelle (14)


Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Tuesday, March 7 when they travel to Rhodes College. Opening faceoff is slated for 4:00 p.m. in Memphis, Tennessee.