DUBUQUE, Iowa - On a sunny afternoon at Oyen Field the University of Dubuque Spartans hosted the University of Northwestern Eagles in the first Midwest Lacrosse Conference (MLC) game of the season. The Spartans blitzed the Eagles early on scoring seven goals in the opening quarter en route to a convincing 16-6 victory.

A little over a minute into play, Sam Todd scored the game's first goal assisted by Giovanni Silva. The next three goals for the Spartans came from a trio of freshman as Chris Wilson, Kagan Hail, and Eric Brostek all found the back of the net. At the end of the first quarter the Spartans held a 7-3 lead. Defensively, the Spartans pitched a shutout in the second quarter not allowing an Eagles goal. Meanwhile, the Spartans tacked on two more goals off the stick of Silva increasing the lead to 9-3 at the half.

Aidan Culligan provided big minutes in the third quarter as he scored three out of his four goals in the quarter. The Spartans outscored the Eagles 3-2 in the final quarter of play to secure the victory 16-6.

Silva and Todd paced the Spartans offensive attack as Silva finished with a total of seven points including three goals and four assists while Todd notched five goals and one assist. Culligan followed closely behind with five points scoring four goals and one assist. Defensively the Spartans forced 18 caused turnovers led behind the force of Ryan Doyle with five caused turnovers and a game high six ground balls along with Hayden Polakowski with three caused turnovers. Nolan Naggy earned his sixth win of the season grabbing seven saves in the full 60 minutes of action.

Up Next
The Spartans are now 6-4 overall and will hit the road for a mid-week non-conference clash against Illinois Wesleyan on Wednesday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m.