The Aurora University men's lacrosse team hosted the University of Dubuque on Saturday afternoon in a battle of Spartans. The game saw both teams with huge scoring runs in the first-half but it was AU who had the final scoring run before hanging on to win 13-12.


GAME SCORE: Aurora University 13, University of Dubuque 12
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-1 overall ; University of Dubuque 1-1 overall
LOCATION: Montgomery, Illinois - Spartan Athletic Park


- AU opened up a 5-0 lead in the first quarter behind two goals from Owen Spencer.
- Ben Strub, Mikail Byun and Tyler Foerstel added goals in the run.
- Dubuque responded with the games next six goals and early in the second, led AU 6-5.
- But AU answered with a 4-0 run in the second quarter, over a span of under three game minutes.
- Reilan Pura, Strub, Brody Macdonald and Byun scored in the run. The Byun goal came on the man-up.
- AU led 9-7 going to halftime.
- AU out-scored Dubuque 3-1 in the third to take control of the game 12-8.
- Through three quarters, Dubuque was called for seven penalties to none on AU. 
- The penalty differential would change in the fourth with AU getting called for the only two of the period.
- AU led 13-9 following the third goal from Spencer of the day.
- The AU defense and goalie Matthew Dryer maintained the 13-9 lead until a Dubuque tally with 1:26 to play.
- Then with 50 seconds left, AU was called for a one minute non-releasable penalty.
- Dubuque scored twice with the man-up and leading to a face-off with 10 seconds left.
- AU's Ian Funk won the final face-off and ran out the clock as AU won 13-12.


Points: Ben Strub (5) and Carson Leader (4)
Goals: Owen Spencer and Ben Strub (3)
Assists: Carson Leader (3), Ben Strub and Rielan Pura (2)
Ground balls: Zach Manuel (10)
Caused Turnovers: Zach Manuel and Ben Strub (2)
Face-offs: Ian Funk (18-for-26)
Saves: Matthew Dryer (10)


Next scheduled action for the Spartan men's lacrosse team comes on Saturday, March 2 when they travel to Illinois Wesleyan University. Opening face-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Bloomington, Illinois.