WAUKESHA, WI - Aurora University won a pair of MLC tilts last week and now sits alone atop the conference standings. The Spartans (9-3, 6-0 MLC) beat Concordia (Wis.) 13-5 and MSOE 35-1 and currently hold a one game lead over Concordia, Carthage, and Augustana in the standings.
Senior long stick midfielder Spencer Fuqua (Cypress, Calif./Los Alamitos) led the Spartans defense that allowed only six goals in the two home wins.
In AU's 13-5 win over Concordia (Wis.), Fuqua scored a goal with 10 ground balls and four caused turnovers. The senior added two goals with four ground balls and five caused turnovers in a 35-1 win over MSOE (1-9, 1-7 MLC).
For the week, Fuqua led the Spartans with 14 ground balls and nine caused turnovers as AU ran its win streak to nine straight.
Aurora is scheduled to host Defiance and Hanover in league play this week.
In other MLC action...
Concordia University (Wis.) (10-3, 5-1 MLC) bounced back from the loss to Aurora and earned a 23-5 win over Fontbonne (2-11, 1-6 MLC). Junior David Mueller (Prior Lake, Minn./H.S.) scored four goals with an assist in the win over the Griffins.
Carthage College (11-4, 5-1 MLC) finished the week 3-0 overall, including a 16-6 win over Elmhurst in MLC action. Senior midfielder Jack Meachum (Naperville, Ill./North) scored four goals with one assist, six ground balls, and five caused turnovers against Elmhurst Wednesday. Meachum scored seven goals with three assists, five ground balls, and one caused turnover in a 24-6 win at Illinois Wesleyan and added two goals with seven assists in a 32-1 win over Dubuque during a doubleheader Saturday.
Augustana College (8-3, 5-1 MLC) saw its win streak reach six straight following a 15-12 home win over Hanover (9-5, 5-3 MLC). Sophomore Kevin Gleason (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy) led the Vikings with five goals, two assists, and three ground balls in the win over the Panthers.
Benedictine (9-4, 5-2 MLC) climbed into the race for a MLC tournament berth with a pair of league wins. The Eagles beat MSOE 19-4 on Wednesday and closed the week with a 19-1 win at Defiance (0-11, 0-6 MLC) Saturday. The 19 goals in each contest set and tied the school record for goals in a single contest. Freshman Brendon Berg (Farmington, Minn./H.S.) finished with seven goals and four assists during the two wins.
Elmhurst College (5-7, 3-4 MLC) bounced back from the Carthage loss Wednesday to beat Mount St. Joseph 15-5 Saturday afternoon. Freshman Matt Westhaver (Alberta, Canada/Holy Trinity Academy) led the Bluejays with four goals, one assist, and four ground balls in the win over MSJ.
The College of Mount St. Joseph (2-12, 1-6 MLC) snapped a seven game losing streak and earned its first conference win with an 8-7 overtime win at Fontbonne Wednesday. Freshman John Ewing (LaPorte, Ind./H.S.) scored the game-winner with just under three minutes remaining in the first overtime period.
For a complete recap of Week 9 in the MLC, click here