The Aurora University men's soccer team began their 2024 season on Friday night against Loras College at Spartan Athletic Park, as AU honored seniors Enrique Gonzalez, Jaziel Enriquez, and Antonio Herrera before the match. The Spartans were unable to hold onto the lead that they took right after halftime and fell in the home opener 2-1.


FINAL SCORE: Loras College 2, Aurora University 1
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park - Montgomery, Illinois
RECORD: Aurora University 0-1-0; Loras College 1-0-0 overall


- AU saw multiple scoring chances in the 24th minute when Branden Dolezal and Jaziel Enriquez each put a shot on goal, but were unable to convert.
- The Spartans were unable to get any more shots on goal the rest of the half, leaving each side scoreless going into the break.
- The stifling AU defense did not allow Loras to put any shots on goal in the first half.
- Enrique Gonzalez didn't waste much time giving AU the 1-0 lead after the break, finding the back of the Duhawks net. Gonzalez was assisted by Jaziel Enrqiuez and Alex Sandoval.
- Gonzalez and Walter Delapaz nearly gave AU a 2-0 lead shortly after the goal, but couldn't find the back of the net.
- Loras tied the match in the 72nd minute.
- About seven minutes later with 10:13 to go, the Spartans suffered a 2-1 deficit. 
- AU saw one final scoring chance with just less than a minute to go, but Enriquez couldn't tie the match.


POINTS: Enrique Gonzalez, Jaziel Enriquez and Alex Sandoval (1)
GOALS: Enrique Gonzalez (1)
ASSISTS: Jaziel Enriquez and Alex Sandoval (1)
SAVES: Antonio Herrera (2)


Next action for the Spartan men's soccer team comes on Sunday, September 1 when they host Elmhurst University. Match time is slated for 4:00 p.m at Spartan Athletic Park.