PONTIAC, Mich. – The Elmhurst men's lacrosse team opened the 2015 season by suffering a 17-6 loss against Adrian College.
 
Played Indoors at the All-American Lacrosse venue in Pontiac, Mich., The Bluejays jumped out to an early 4-2 lead midway through the opening quarter, but Adrian (1-0) took over for the duration of the game, outscoring Elmhurst (0-1) 15-2 for the final 51 minutes of action.
 
Adrian's Mitch Burgin started the scoring less than a minute into the contest, giving the Bulldogs a quick 1-0 lead just 51 seconds in. Elmhurst quickly pulled even at 1-1 after Matt Westhaver fed Mal Euson for the equalizer.  Adrian had a quick answer, going back in front just 13 seconds later on a Cody Schmitt goal.
 

Elmhurst rattled off three straight goals over a the next four minutes to build a 4-2 cushion. Kalani Flowers scored with 9:57 showing on the clock to even the score at 2-2. Jackson Mandli gave Elmhurst its first lead of the day with a goal with 8:25 remaining. Westhaver tacked on his first goal of the year with seven minutes remaining to give the Bluejays a two-goal advantage.
 
Adrian rattled off eight straight goals, including five goals to close out the first quarter to open up a commanding 10-4 lead. Ryan Findlay and Burgin scored to pull the Bulldogs even at 4-4. Luke Bill added back-to-back tallies and Adam Findlay found the back of the net with 18 seconds remaining to give Adrian a 7-4 lead after the first quarter.
 
Bill, A. J. Smith and Adam Findlay scored for Adrian in the second quarter before Elmhurst's Nick Klenck scored to break the Bulldog's streak of eight consecutive goals. After Klenck scored with four minutes left in the half, Burgin scored his third of the game for Adrian just nine seconds later. Ryan Findlay and Doug Boyd added scores before the end of the half to give the Bulldogs a 13-5 lead at the break.
 
Boyd and Burgin added goals in the third quarter and Michael Turner scored twice for the Bulldogs in the fourth to give Adrian a 17-5 lead. Westhaver scored his second goal of the game for the Bluejays' with 1:49 left to make the final scored 17-6 in favor of Adrian.
 
Elmhurst outshot Adrian 34-27, including 14-3 in the final quarter, but the Bluejays put only 14 shots on goal while Adrian put 24 of its 27 on goal, with 17 finding the back of the net.  The Bluejays also committed 25 turnovers while Adrian gave the ball up 18 times.  The Bluejays also failed to take advantage of Adrian penalties; finishing 0-for-6 on extra-man advantages (Adrian finished 1-of-2).
 
Both teams were successful at clearing the zone as Elmhurst converted 13-of-16 clearing attempts and Adrian finished 19-of-21 attempts. Elmhurst was dominant on faceoffs, winning 67 percent of the 27 challenges.  
 
Westhaver led Elmhurst's offense in the loss, totaling three points on two goals and an assist. Euson, Flowers, Klenck and Mandli all tallied their first goals of the season while Jacob Cambron added an assist. A.J. Weiger totaled five ground balls while also forcing five Adrian turnovers. Brandon Bethran had an excellent day on face offs, winning 17-of-24 attempts (70.8 percent) and scooping up eight ground balls. Nick Bonastia took the loss in goal for Elmhurst, playing all 60 minutes and recording seven saves.
 
Burgin paced Adrian's offense with six points on four goals and two assists. Bill added five points on three goals and two assists while Doug Boyd registered four points with two goals and two assists. Adam Findlay (two goals, one assist), Cody Schmiit (one goal, two assists) and A.J. Smith (one goal, two assists) all tallied three points apiece for Adrian.  Brett Farrelly earned the win in the cage for Adrian, allowing six goals and recording eight saves while playing all 60 minutes.
 
Elmhurst travels to Benedictine University on March 4, for a 7:00 p.m. contest.