The Aurora University women's lacrosse team began their 2025 season in grand fashion on Saturday afternoon, as the Spartans picked up a 10-7 victory over the Titans from Illinois Wesleyan University at Spartan Athletic Park. Brianna Peck led the charge with three goals, while Caley Russell notched four points with a goal and three assists for AU.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 10, Illinois Wesleyan University 7
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-0 overall; Illinois Wesleyan University 0-1 overall
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park - Montogmery, Illinois


- It took just over a minute for Brianna Peck to find the back of the net, giving AU an early lead to start off their 2025 season.
- A minute later at 12:49 in the first quarter, IWU tied the score at one.
- The Titans eventually took the lead nearing the end of the first, giving the Spartans a 2-1 deficit heading into the second quarter of play.
- Peck struck again at the 8:47 mark in the second, tying the score at two. She was assisted by Caley Russell on the AU goal.
- Nicolina Smith secured the lead for the Spartans with a free position goal at the 7:13 mark in the second.
- Kielly Reeve ripped a free position shot of her own at 6:14 in the second and found the back of the net, giving AU a 4-2 lead.
- At 3:37 in the second quarter, Olivia Dahlberg made it 5-2 in favor of the Spartans, coming off an assist Alle Pope.
- That AU lead quickly became 6-2 about a minute and a half later, when Sydney Mann scored off a dime from Nicolina Smith.
- This allowed the Spartans to take their four goal lead into the halftime break.
- Nearing the end of the third quarter, the Titans scored a couple of goals to trim AU's lead to 6-4.
- With 34 seconds to go in the third, Mann sifted around a couple of Titans defenders for her second goal.
- Peck and Russell connected again in the beginning of the fourth quarter, before Kenly Axvig scored for AU off another assist from Russell.
- Russell then scored a goal of her own with 12:17 with AU on the woman-up advantage, good for her fourth point of the day.
- Despite a late push from IWU, the Spartans took the 10-7 victory.


Points: Caley Russell (4), Brianna Peck and Sydney Mann (3)
Goals: Brianna Peck (3) and Sydney Mann (2)
Assists: Caley Russell (3), Syd Mann, Nicolina Smith and Alle Pope (1)
Ground balls: Sarah Brown and Lorelei Babich (2)
Caused Turnovers: Kenly Axvig (5), Sarah Brown and Lorelei Babich (3)
Saves: Alexis Crowley (4) and Rachel Wickey (3)
 

Next scheduled action for the Spartan women's lacrosse team comes on Wednesday, February 26 when they host Carthage College. Opening draw is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois.