Box Score NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Elmhurst men's soccer team secured a spot in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament by defeating North Central College 1-0.

Elmhurst improved to 11-3-3 overall and 4-1-2 in the CCIW with the win. North Central slipped to 6-8-3 and 1-5 in the conference.

Elmhurst had a chance to get on the board early in the contest as North Central keeper Kyle DeRaedt was issued a yellow card in the box, resulting in a penalty kick for the Bluejays. DeRaedt saved Michael Delong's attempt to keep the Bluejays off the scoreboard.

Elmhurst was dealt a blow late in the half as a second yellow card resulted in the Bluejays being forced to play a man down for the remainder of the game.

North Central took advantage of the extra player, pressuring Elmhurst's defense in the second half. John Reglin made a pair of saves just seconds apart in the 66th minute to keep the Cardinals off the scoreboard.

Elmhurst struck for the game's only goal in the 76th minute. Alex Safford slipped a long pass between a pair of Cardinal defenders and Josh Rudd raced in for a breakaway chance. Rudd tucked the ball past DeRaedt to give the Bluejays a 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals had chances to tie the game in the final 15 minutes but Reglin stopped Joey Faleni and got a piece of Lucas Habeeb's shot to send it wide and turn away the Cardinals.

North Central outshot Elmhurst 21-8 in the contest, including an 11-2 edge in the second half. Elmhurst had an 8-5 edge in corner kicks.

Reglin recorded nine saves to earn the shutout in goal for the Bluejays. DeRaedt took the loss after allowing one goal and recording two saves.

Elmhurst is guaranteed at least the third seed in the conference tournament and could climb up to the number two seed depending on the results of the upcoming Wheaton and North Park contest. A win by Wheaton would make the Bluejays the second seed while a North Park victory would make the Bluejays the third seed. Elmhurst would also be the third seed if Wheaton and North Park tied based on goal differential in conference play.

The first round of the CCIW Tournament will be held on Wednesday, November 6.