AURORA, Ill. - The Benedictine University men's lacrosse team dropped a conference game for the first time this season, falling 15-9 to Aurora University on Wednesday afternoon in a game to decide the regular season Midwest Lacrosse Conference champion.

Benedictine scored the first goal of the game but then had to play catch-up the rest of the way. Tony DePinto opened the scoring with 12:36 left in the opening quarter. Aurora responded with three consecutive goals to take control. Dominic DePinto scored with 3:51 left in the first on a feed from Blake Keenan to bring Benedictine within 3-2. Aurora countered with six straight goals, nabbing a 9-2 edge. The hosts led 5-2 after one quarter and 9-3 at the half after Eric Orndorf scored late to stop the run.

Aurora, who won a third straight conference title with the victory, controlled much of the third. The Spartans 11-3, 13-4, and 14-5 before a late Benedictine push. Andrew Zmijewski scored the first of three straight goals late in the third. Keenan and Orndorf both scored in the fourth, but neither team mustered much offense, leading to the final.

The hosts held a 39-31 edge in shots and a 38-28 advantage in groundballs. Tony DePinto scored three goals to lead Benedictine. Orndorf added two goals and two assists. Rudy Berg and Kyle Wagner each recorded five groundballs. Jack Collins made six saves in goal, coming in relieft early in the second quarter.

Benedictine (11-4, 5-1) will not play again until the conference tournament. The Eagles are the second seed and will play at home against a to be determined opponent on Wednesday, April 29, at 7:00 p.m.