The Aurora University men's lacrosse team kicked off their 2024 season with a battle against Colorado College on Sunday afternoon at Spartan Athletic Park. After falling behind 5-2 in the first quarter, the Spartans were never able to climb back in the 15-7 loss to the Tigers.


GAME SCORE: Colorado College 15, Aurora University 7
RECORDS: Aurora University 0-1 overall ; Colorado College 1-1 overall
LOCATION: Montgomery, Illinois - Spartan Athletic Park


- The Tigers scored the game's first four goals before the 10:00 mark of the first quarter.
- Ben Strub answered back with a score off an assist from Carson Leader.
- With 6:45 to go in the opening quarter of play, Owen Spencer sifted around a couple of Tiger defenders to cut the AU deficit to 4-2.
- The Tigers added one more goal before the end of the first before scoring three more in the beginning of the second for an early 8-2 lead.
- Strub halted the Tiger run by picking up another goal with about six minutes to go before the half, making it 8-3.
- The visitors followed with another two goals.
- Mikail Byun got in on the scoring fun right before the half with a man-up tally with a dish from Chris Bucci.
- AU trailed 10-4 at the half.
- Spencer scored his second goal of the game after the Tigers opened up the second half with a goal. Spencer's unassisted tally made it 11-5.
- Each side traded goals the rest of the half as Dylan Kranzush scored in the fourth off a set-up from Rielan Pura.
- Carson Leader added one more, but it was not enough as the Spartans fell 15-7.


Points: Owen Spencer (3), Carson Leader and Ben Strub (2)
Goals: Owen Spencer and Ben Strub (2)
Assists: Owen Spencer, Carson Leader, Chris Bucci and Rielan Pura (1)
Ground balls: Matthew Dryer (3)
Caused Turnovers: Six Different Spartans (1)
Face-offs: Eli Etzler (5-for-18)
Saves: Matthew Dryer (13)


Next action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Saturday, February 24 when they host the University of Dubuque. Opening face-off is set for 1:00 p.m. at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois.