Men's Soccer drops physical NACC match against Aurora

MEQUON, Wis. – Saturday's Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference match at Fitting Field was physical from the first whistle, but it was Aurora University who prevailed with a 3-1 victory over Concordia University Wisconsin.

There were 39 fouls called and four yellow cards handed out in the battle during a cool and breezy fall afternoon. In the end, it was a breakaway, one-on-one goal by AU that proved to be the difference. Statistics were even across the board, despite the physical play by both teams.

Alex Brunell struck first for the Spartans with a left-footed score from 20 yards out to put the Spartans in front 1-0 less than 17 minutes into the opening half. AU tallied a pair of goals less than four minutes apart in the second half to put the game out of reach for the Falcons.

After a goal kick, the Spartans' Ben Edith stole the ball from a Falcons player at midfield and sprinted 50 yards for a breakaway, one-on-one goal that put them in front 2-0. Less than four minutes later a questionable foul call was whistled, which allowed AU's Miguel Barajas to score the third-consecutive score for the visitors on a penalty kick.

Junior Bobby Russ (Wauwatosa, Wis.) answered for the Falcons with a strike from 20-yards out 12 seconds later for their only marker of the game. The goal was setup after senior Diego Campos (Milwaukee, Wis.) dribbled through several Spartans defenders before Russ made numerous moves of his own before scoring.

CUW (4-9-1, 2-3-0 NACC) ended with four different players recording a shot on goal. Junior Alec Brew (Appleton, Wis.) took the loss in net after playing a complete game.

AU (8-3-2, 3-2-0 NACC) had three players with a shot on goal each and Zach McFarland picked up the win in goal after making three saves.

The Falcons return to action on Tuesday with a 7 p.m. NACC match at Marian University.