The Aurora University men's soccer team gave the Spartan Athletic Park fans a lot to cheer about on Saturday afternoon for their 2024 Homecoming game, as the Spartans beat the Sabers of Marian University 4-1. Enrique Gonzalez secured a hat-trick for AU's third-straight win of the season.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 4, Marian University 1
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park - Montgomery, Illinois
RECORD: Aurora University 4-3-3 overall and 3-0-1 NACC; Marian University 4-6-1 overall and 1-2-1 NACC


- The first shot on goal came about 12 minutes into the match from Enrique Gonzalez and it easily found the back of the net. Gonzalez got behind the Marian defense after a pass from Branden Dolezal for a 1-0 AU lead.
- Dolezal later made a bid for his own goal in the 24th minute, but just missed making it a 2-0 Spartan lead.
- AU had another opportunity late in the half as Ben Gamino put a shot on goal, but couldn't find the back of the net.
- The half would end 1-0 in favor AU, as Marian only managed to get one shot on goal the entire first 45 minutes.
- The Spartans continued to apply pressure early in the second half as Gonzalez struck again in the 62nd minute for his second goal of the match. This made it a 2-0 AU advantage.
- Just 10 minutes later, Josue Roman got in on the scoring action off a free-kick for a 3-0 Spartan lead.
- In the 72nd minute, Gonzalez saw a penalty kick opportunity and snuck one into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 4-0.
- Marian would add one with just four minutes remaining, but it was not nearly enough in the 4-1 AU victory.


POINTS: Enrique Gonzalez (3) and Josue Roman (2)
GOALS: Enrique Gonzalez (3) 
ASSISTS: Josue Roman and Branden Dolezal (1)
SAVES: Alex Ageladelis (1)


Next action for the Spartan men's soccer team comes on Wednesday, October 2 when they host Rockford University. Opening kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois.