Box Score

MADISON, Wis. - When two teams with identical Northern Athletics Conference records meet, one would at least expect that they'd leave with different records. That would be true, if the two teams weren't as evenly matched as Edgewood College and Aurora University are. The Eagles and the Spartans traded shots, saves and fouls for 110 minutes, but ultimately settled for a scoreless tie on Senior Day at Breese Stevens Field.

Both teams had their chances to advance the scoreboard during regulation play. Aurora's Chase Corricelli put four shots on goal, including three going upwind in the second half, but Edgewood College goalkeeper Shane Sullivan was equal to the task and turned back all four. The Spartans had the best scoring chance of the day in the 89th minute when Tony Gutierrez shook free at the top of the box, but Sullivan was perfectly placed to collect the shot and preserve the tie.

Andriy Apetery and Greg Dezell each had quality second half chances for Edgewood College (8-8-1, 6-3-1 NAC). Apetery tested Aurora goalkeeper Matt Ness from an awkward angle on the right side in the 61st minute, but Ness was able to punch the ball over the crossbar. Seven minutes later, Dezell took a shot of a nifty touch pass from Mike Bourgeois but Ness was able to corral the blast.

Sullivan finished the day with seven saves, while Ness had three as each keeper earned a shutout. The game marked the second straight time Aurora University (11-7-1, 6-3-1 NAC) and Edgewood College have tied. The last was a 1-1 draw in last season's NAC Tournament semifinals, with the Spartans advancing on a penalty kick shootout. The last time the Eagles played a scoreless draw was against Dominican University in the 2006 NAC Tournament semifinals which also ended up going against the Eagles in a shootout.

With the tie, the Eagles and Spartans remained deadlocked at 6-3-1 in a four-way tie for third place with MSOE and Lakeland College. Edgewood College travels to Marian University for their NAC finale on Tuesday night. The Eagles need at least a tie to clinch a bid for the NAC Tournament, while a win could push them as high as the third seed.

Prior to the game, the Eagles celebrated their four seniors, Bourgeois, Jim Brandon, Mike Paroubeck and Jake Andreska, who played their last regular season home game at Breese Stevens Field.