By Jami Sponaugle

Aurora, Ill. - Although the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawk men's soccer team led in shots, they were unable to find the back of the net as often as Aurora University as the Spartans defeated the Hawks 3-1. With the loss, the Hawks fall to 7-5 overall and 2-4 in Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) action. 

How It Happened

• Aurora went up early on Illinois Tech with a goal in the 9th minute. The Spartans gained control of the ball in the Hawks defensive half after knocking the Hawk defender off the ball. After an initial shot that hit off a Hawk defender, Enrique Gonzalez won the deflection and fired off a one-touch shot into the near post corner to put the Spartans up 1-0.

• The Spartans then went up 2-0 on the Hawks with a break-away goal. Nick Willner gained control of the ball with no defender around him. Adam Falcigno came out to apply pressure, but Willner was able to place the ball to the side of him and sent it to the back of the net. 

• Before heading into halftime, the Spartans tabbed one more goal to take a 3-0 lead. Gonzalez scored his second of the game for the Spartans with a shot inside the 18-yard box into the opposite side netting off an Eduardo Carrillo assist.

• Coming out of halftime, the Hawks were able to get themselves on the scoreboard in the 53rd minute. Maciek Matusiak assisted the goal after playing a backwards pass off the Spartans goal line. The bouncing ball went straight to where Josh Plimpton was running with a defender on him. Plimpton was able to volley the pass from the penalty kick spot and into the left lower corner, making the score 3-1 in favor of the Spartans. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Plimpton netted the lone goal while Matusiak picked up the only assists of the contest for the Hawks. 

• Matusiak led the team with five shots, three of which were on frame. 

• Plimpton ended with three shots while Michael Kaczowka, Colin Harris, and Mateo Sanchez all finished with two shots.  

Inside the Box Score

• The Hawks outshot the Spartans 19-14 while recording 11 on frame compared to the Spartans 10. 

• Illinois Tech picked up 13 fouls versus Aurora's 5. 

• The Spartans led in corner kicks, taking 5 while the Hawks only took 2. 

Up Next 

The Hawks will be at Stuart Field on Saturday as they take on St. Norbert College Green Knights in NACC action. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.