Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – In a battle between two undefeated teams, the Spartans of Aurora University emerged victorious at Memorial Stadium 14-6 over the Whittier College Men's Lacrosse team.
Whittier came into Friday night's contest 2-0 with wins over Div. II Westminster and Wentworth, while Aurora remained untouched on the season at 4-0.
It was all Spartans from start to finish who battled the cold temperatures taking an 8-2 lead into intermission. They started off with a 3-1 run in the first quarter. The Poets' lone goal came from Ian Leek (Valley Center, Calif.) at the 10:53 mark that tied the game up at 1-1 but they would be held scoreless until midway through the second when Maxwell Jones (Fircrest, WA) was fed by Jonathan Kassity (San Clemente, Calif.) that gave WC their second goal of the first half.
The Purple & Gold had no answer for Bailey Smith who tallied four of his team high five goals in the second period giving Aurora a big lead.
In the third, WC was held scoreless with both programs picking it up on the defensive end. Aurora added two to their lead moving it to 10-2 and despite Whittier adding four goals in the final quarter, it wouldn't be enough as AU would hold on for the eight goal victory.
Matt Symes (Coquitlam, BC, Canada), Kassity, and Jones would all add scores in the final 13:19 that made it a game but it would be too late.
Sophomore Alex Cramer (Rocky Hill, CT) was the Poets bright spot on the evening finishing with a career high 23 saves against 37 shots.
The difference in the game came on the face-offs as Scott Pescheret (Eagan, MN) was just 9-22, which limited the number of Poet possessions.
Aurora outshot Whittier 53-23, picked up 22 groundballs, was 14-15 on clear attempts and was 1-2 on man-ups.
Jones and Symes each registered two goals apiece, while Kassity had a goal, an assist, three groundballs, and a caused turnover.
Whittier remains at home as they continue their seven game home stand as they host FDU-Florham on Tuesday, March 15 beginning at 7:00pm.
