- The University of Dubuque men's lacrosse team fell behind two goals early and could never quite get back to even, falling to the Aurora Spartans, 9-7 on Monday afternoon. Monday's battle was even in several aspects of the game such as clears, face-offs, turnovers and even the final score, but Aurora's ability to corral the 50-50 balls proved to be a key difference in UD's 9-7 loss. Tanner Weis and Gavin Hughes led the UD attack with two goals a piece, while Zach Schmitt and Ben Farraday each added one goal. It looked as if the game was headed towards a high scoring affair, as Aurora scored just 59 seconds in and UD matched them 52 seconds later for a 1-1 game less than two minutes in. The two defense's and goalies would settle in after the two quick goals. Aurora scored back to back goals around the midway point of the first quarter to build a 3-1 lead. UD would get one of those goals back with 3:13 left in the opening quarter, however from that point on, neither team scored over the final 18:13 of the first half. After over 23 minutes of scoreless action it was Aurora who was able to end that drought with two goals within a minute span to push their lead to 5-2 with 8:38 to play in the third. The teams would trade the next two goals but UD was finally able to string together a pair of goals with the last goal of the third quarter and first goal of the fourth to suddenly get back within one goal at 6-5 with 12:23 to play. However that would be the last time UD was within one goal as Aurora would win the ensuing faceoff, race down the field and score within six seconds. Both goalkeepers were phenomenal on Monday, UD goalie Ryan Gartner, who is coming off CCIW Defensive Player of the Week honors, came up with 16 saves in the loss. He faced 42 shots in all from Aurora and 25 of 42 went on net. The Spartans have a week off before hosting Concordia Chicago on Tuesday, April 6 in a matinee match at 1:30 p.m.