Courtesy Dubuque Athletics

ALBION, Mich. – The University of Dubuque men's lacrosse team traveled to face the Albion College Britons in the first round of the NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championships. In their first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans would fall to the Britons by a final score of 11-6.

In the first quarter, the Britons would strike first to take the early 1-0 lead. The score would remain the same throughout the first as Ryan Gartner was able to save some close shots to keep it a one score game. In the first, Mark Heikotter was able to steal the ball and found an open shot into a goalie-less goal, but the shot would be just wide. The Britons would extend their lead to 3-0 before Aidan Culligan would find Giovanni Silva for the first Spartan goal of the game in the second. The Spartans had many other opportunities throughout the first half but would be unable to capitalize on the offensive end leading to a 3-1 Briton lead into intermission.

The Britons would open the third quarter with a goal less than a minute into the game, which would be followed by three additional goals to expand their lead to 7-1. The connection of Culligan to Silva would lead to another goal for the Spartans to enter the fourth quarter trailing 7-2. Entering the final quarter, the Spartans were looking to make a final push as Zach Schmitt found the back of the net off an assist from Tyler Phipps. Not even a minute later, the Spartans would follow with a goal from Culligan off a Sam Todd pass trimming the Briton lead to three goals, 7-4. The Britons would add an additional four goals to expand their lead to seven goals. Culligan continued to add to his great day with a goal at the 2:43 mark of the fourth from Gavin Hughes to trail 11-5 late. Tyler Phipps would add an unassisted goal with just over a minute remaining as the Spartans would fall 11-6 to the Britons.

The Spartans were led by Aidan Culligan with four points off two goals and two assists. Giovanni Silva added two goals. As a team the Spartans had 30 shots and were able to collect 25 ground balls. The Spartans were successful on 22-27 clears. Ryan Gartner collected 12 saves in the game.

The Spartans end an incredible season where they finished 12-8 overall and made the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history as well as the first time a team from the state of Iowa to play in the lacrosse national championships across all divisions.