A late surge was not enough for the Illinois Wesleyan University men’s lacrosse team, which lost to Aurora University 15-14 in a non-conference match at Tucci Stadium in Bloomington, Illinois. The Titans now hold a 1-2 record this season, while Aurora moves to 1-1.
Jake Kahoun led Illinois Wesleyan with four goals. Junior Timothy McHugh contributed three goals and one assist. Senior Billy McHugh, sophomore Jaymeson Zackery, and sophomore Wyatt Hart each caused two turnovers. Zackery also collected six ground balls and finished with 13 saves, matching senior Karsten Nordlie’s ground ball total.
Senior Micheal Rocco won 11 of his 18 faceoffs, while sophomore Matt Arnold succeeded on nine out of fifteen attempts.
Aurora opened the game by scoring the first four goals. Junior Jarett Brunson scored for Illinois Wesleyan at the end of the first quarter, making it 4-1 after 15 minutes. Aurora extended its lead to 9-1 before sophomore Owen Miller assisted Timothy McHugh for a goal that made it 9-2.
After halftime, Illinois Wesleyan trailed 10-3 but responded with improved play in the second half. Kahoun and Timothy McHugh scored early in the third quarter to narrow the gap to 11-5. Despite two more goals from Aurora pushing their lead to eight points at 13-5, Illinois Wesleyan answered with seven consecutive goals spanning the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth.
Senior Cole Kennedy began this run, followed by scores from junior Nate Pound, freshman Brody Jones, Kahoun, and sophomore Jeremy Langosch. Sophomore Charlie Burghardt then scored to bring Illinois Wesleyan within one point at 13-12 with just over four minutes remaining.
Aurora responded quickly with two goals in less than twenty seconds to go ahead by three points at 15-12 late in regulation.
Illinois Wesleyan continued to fight back as Kahoun scored with just over a minute left. Nordlie set up Jones for another goal with thirty-three seconds remaining, bringing the Titans within one point at 15-14. However, Aurora secured possession after winning the next faceoff and held on for the win.
The Titans will play their next game away against DePauw University on Wednesday, February 25 in Greencastle, Indiana.
The Illinois Wesleyan Titans Men’s Lacrosse team is part of NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics and belongs to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. The program plays home games at Tucci Stadium in Bloomington and represents Illinois Wesleyan University.
