NAPERVILLE, Ill. – After a four game homestand, the University of Dubuque Spartans lacrosse team hit the road for a non-conference matchup against the Cardinals of North Central College. Trailing by seven in the fourth quarter, the Spartans offense rallied netting six goals but fell short by a score of 15-12.

Spartans attacker, Sam Todd scored the game's first goal at 11:28 of the first quarter. The Cardinals responded with three goals as the Spartans trailed 3-2 entering the second quarter. An offensive showcase was featured in the second quarter of play as a total of 10 goals were scored by the combined teams. North Central extended their lead to five at the end of the half (10-5) as they outscored the Spartans 7-3. 

Aydan Rathsabandith scored the Spartans lone goal early on in the third quarter. Both teams entered over a 10 minute scoreless stretch until North Central scored with 43 seconds left in the quarter maintaining a 13-6 lead.

After a quick goal from North Central, the Spartans rattled off four unanswered goals behind the efforts of Aidan Culligan, Giovanni Silva, and Todd to cut the deficit to four (14-10). With 2:41 left, the Cardinals tacked on one more goal but the Spartans continued to put pressure on the opposition as Todd and Culligan each scored another goal. As the final horn sounded the Spartans lost 15-12.

Todd finished the night with a team high seven points with five goals and two assists. Culligan scored four goals in addition to an assist while Rathsabandith netted two goals and Silva also scored a goal. Faceoff specialist, John Lewis won 16-28 faceoffs and led the team with six ground balls. Defensively Ryan Doyle accounted for three of the seven caused turnovers. In goal Nolan Nagy recorded eight saves in the loss. 

Up Next
The Spartans are now 5-4 overall and will start conference play this weekend as they welcome in the University of Northwestern Eagles to Oyen Field. The game is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 30th.