DUBUQUE, Iowa - This afternoon's weather for the Midwest Lacrosse Conference Tournament Semifinal game between the #2 seed University of Dubuque Spartans and the #3 seed University of Northwestern Eagles would be the nicest day for a game on Oyen Field this Spring season. The Spartans took full advantage scoring at will in the opening half with 12 goals and ending with a 18-10 victory to go on and advance to the MLC Championship game on Saturday, May 6 to take on the #1 seed Lake Forest College Foresters for the second straight season. 

The Spartans opponent for the semifinal game was a familiar foe as the last game the Spartans had on Oyen Field was against the Eagles and defeated them 13-4 in blistery cold and snowy conditions. This time around it meant much more as the winner advances in the MLC tournament and the other goes home to conclude their season. 

The Spartans did not get the start they had wanted as they trailed 3-1 within minutes. In the first meeting the Spartans only gave up four goals and allowed nearly that amount in just under seven minutes of action to begin the game. The Spartans would then settle in from there scoring 10 unanswered goals over the course of 13:02 of game time to lead 11-3. The Spartans would add on another in the closing minute of the first half to lead 12-4 at the break. The second half would be evenly matched with both teams producing six goals with three in the third and fourth quarters to win 18-10 an advance to their second straight MLC Tournament Championship game. 

Ben Farraday and Giovanni Silva led the charge offensively as Farraday had a game-high five goals and one assist. Silva added four goals and two assists. Sam Todd and Aidan Culligan each added two goals and two assists. Culligan picked up his 100th career point in the game today and is the 8th Spartan to do so in school history. On the defensive side of the ball, Ryan Doyle continued to show why he is one of the top defensemen in the league with seven caused turnovers and snagged 14 ground balls. Justin Daly added three caused turnovers and five ground balls. George Smirl secured his ninth victory of the season allowing seven goals and recording three saves in 45 minutes of action. 

Up Next
The Spartans will now travel to Lake Forest, Ill. to take on the Foresters for a chance at an automatic berth in the 2023 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Tournament. The Spartans fell to the Foresters in the regular season and will look to avenge that loss this Saturday, May 6 with a time yet to be officially announced. The Spartans defeated the Foresters in last season's MLC Championship game.