GENEVA, Ill. – The Falcons hung tough against one of the top teams in the nation on Friday night. The Blue and White fell 6-5 to No. 7-ranked Aurora to fall to 2-14-0 and to 2-7-0 in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.

Spartans struck first on a goal off a rebound four minutes into the contest.

Five minutes later, sophomore Nick Wieben (Mankato, Minn.) pulled both defenders and freshman Collin Kerchoff (White Lake, Mich.) tapped in the rebound. Junior Nick Bowlin (Maplewood, Minn.) had the secondary assist on the goal.

The Black and Blue took back the lead with a shot from the high slot for its second power-play goal of the first period.

The Spartans scored three goals in the second period to take a commanding 5-1 lead into the third period.

The Falcons started the third period with a goal on a two-on-one advantage and a goal from Nick Bowlin. Junior Joey Petronack (White Bear Lake, Minn.) and freshman Grant Newcomer (McFarland, Wis.) added the assists.

Freshman Jason Tenezaca (Niles, Ill.) struck two minutes later on a wrap-around shot and a freshman Derek Humphreys (Spokane, Wash.) assist.

Nick Wieben stuffed in another wrap-around goal to cut the deficit to one. Freshman Bryar Dittmer (Chatham, Ont.) fed the pass in off a tap from Zach Brydges.

A minute later, the game was tied when Zach Brydges tapped in a rebound off his original shot and passes from Joey Petronak and Nick Wieben

The Spartans snapped the streak with a goal with 16 seconds left to secure the victory.

Junior Liam McGarva (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.) had 32 saves in the start and freshman Gabe Rosek (East Lansing, Mich.) picked up 12 saves in the final 11 minutes.

The Spartans held a 50-34 advantage in shots on Friday. Freshman Dain Sardelli (Hebron, N.D.) led the flock with six.

The Falcons look to level the series at home on Saturday afternoon.