The Aurora University men's soccer team hosted Millikin University for their 2023 season home opener Friday night. A late goal in the second half sent the Spartans to a 2-1 victory. 
 

FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 2, Millikin University 1
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park - Montgomery, Illinois
RECORD: Aurora University 1-0-0
 

- The Spartans dominated early with three shots in the first ten minutes of play by three different athletes. 
- In the 20th minute, Enrique Gonzalez gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead, finding the back of the net on a pass from Gio Villegas. 
- Millikin was unable to get a shot off until the 33rd minute, and that shot was their only one of the first half.
- The second half opened with back and forth action with the Spartans having multiple shots on goal, but none able to find the back of the net. 
- The Big Blue got on the board in the 76th minute to tie the game 1-1.
- After a Millikin foul in the 84th minute, Freshman Carlos Viayra scored his first career and game winning goal on a free kick from beyond the box. Viayra received a pass from Enrique Gonzalez and fired a shot to the lower left corner, finding the back of the net. 
- Millikin had one shot in the remaining minutes of the game.
- The Spartans were victorious 2-1 in their 2023 home opener.
 

GOALS: Enrique Gonzalez and Carlos Viayra (1)
ASSISTS: Gio Villega and Enrique Gonzalez (1)
SAVES: Jalen Depenbrock (1)


Next action for the Spartan men's soccer team comes on Monday, September 4 when they travel to Northern Illinois University. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in DeKalb, Illinois.