GENEVA, Ill. - The Concordia University Wisconsin men's lacrosse team traveled to Aurora University for their Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) opener on a day delayed by weather. Despite their best efforts, the Falcons fell to the Spartans 13-5, dropping to 1-5 overall.

Aurora jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Falcons responded with two quick goals in a span of 33 seconds. Senior Caleb Ruger (Grafton, Wis.) put CUW on the board with 3:01 remaining in the quarter, assisted by freshman Jackson Knutson (Roseville, Minn.) for Knutson's first career assist. Just 33 seconds later, sophomore Bryce Petersen (Waukesha, Wis.), the reigning NACC Lacrosse Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week, scored off an assist from Ruger. However, by the end of the first quarter, Aurora led 5-2.

The Spartans continued to extend their lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Falcons 5-2 to take a commanding 10-4 lead at halftime. For CUW, senior Max Esposito (Gaithersburg, Md.) scored just 1:07 into the quarter, and later added another point with an assist to senior Gio Nowotarski (Reading, Pa.).

The third quarter was a defensive stalemate, with neither team scoring.

In the fourth quarter, Petersen added his second goal of the game, but it was not enough to mount a comeback, as the Falcons ultimately fell 13-5.

Petersen led the Falcons with two goals, while Esposito added a goal and an assist for two points. Senior Michael Lange (Brookfield, Wis.) had a team-high three ground balls, while junior Frank Trewyn (Mukwonago, Wis.) went 6-for-12 on faceoffs.

Defensively, sophomore Ben Birch (Grafton, Wis.) and senior Zach Wilder (Midland, Mich.) each caused three turnovers, while sophomore goaltender Travis Marquardt (Brookfield, Wis.) made nine saves.

The Falcons will look to bounce back in conference play when they host the Benedictine Eagles on Saturday.