The Aurora University men's lacrosse team saw the 2023 season come to an end in the first-round of the NCAA Division III Tournament on Wednesday afternoon as they fell to Illinois Wesleyan University 19-10.


FINAL SCORE: Illinois Wesleyan University 19, Aurora University 10
RECORDS: Aurora University 15-5 overall
LOCATION: Bloomington, Illinois : Tucci Stadium
 

- The Spartans fell behind 4-0 in the first quarter before Brody MacDonald got on the scoreboard.
- AU would trail 5-1 after the first 15 minutes of action.
- Four IWU goals in the second found the Spartans trailing 9-1.
- In the final minutes, Jimmy Gorecki and Carson Leader scored to cut the deficit to 9-3.
- Just before the halftime intermission, IWU scored to lead 10-3 going to half.
- AU was out-paced 10-3 in the first-half by IWU.
- Leader (man-up) and Gorecki scored early in the third quarter and AU was within five at 10-5.
- Despite a goal each from Gorecki and Ben Strub in the third, AU trailed 14-7 going to the fourth.
- AU fought in the fourth with goals from Gorecki, MacDonald and Leader but couldn't quite get close enough as they fell 19-10.
- The Spartans conclude the 2023 season as NACC regular season and conference tournament champions.


Points: Brody MacDonald (5), Jimmy Gorecki (4) and Carson Leader (3)
Goals: Jimmy Gorecki (4) and Carson Leader (3)
Assists: Brody MacDonald (3)
Ground Balls: Ethan Dosen (10)
Caused Turnovers: Ethan Dosen (7) 
Face-Offs: Eli Etzler (4-of-24)
Saves: Phillip Gianelle (11) 
 

The 2023 season comes to a conclusion for the Spartans with a 15-5 overall record and Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference regular season and conference tournament championships.