AURORA, Ill. - The Elmhurst men's lacrosse team slid to 2-3 on the season following a 15-5 road loss at Aurora University

Aurora (3-5) scored three times in the first quarter to take a quick lead. Nolan Miller, Bailey Smith and Max Obreicht all found the back of the net to stake the Spartans to an early three-goal cushion.

Elmhurst closed the gap early in the second quarter when Matt Westhaver netted his fifth goal off a Jacob Cambron assist.

Aurora responded by scoring six straight goals to close out the half and build a 9-1 lead at the break. The Spartans scored the first three goals of the second half to open up a 12-1 advtange.
 

Jackson Mandli and Alex Opyd scored back-to-back goals in the third quarter to bring the Spartans' lead back to single digits, but goals from Max Matthai and Smith put the Spartans back in front by 11 midway through the fourth quarter.

Nick Klenck and Opyd scored goals for the Bluejays sandwiched around a Nick Arleo goal for Aurora to make the final score 15-5 in favor of the Spartans.

Aurora outshot the Bluejays 48-22 in the contest. Turnovers plaqued the Bluejays as Elmhurst gave the ball up 28 times and converted just 9-of-19 clearing attempts in the loss. 

Opyd led the Bluejays with two goals in the loss. Westhave tallied two points on a goal and an assist for the Bluejays. Brandon Bethran won 10-of-19 faceoff attempts for the Bluejays.

Ten different players found the back of the net for the Spartans with Smith and Miller leading the way with three goals apiece. Obrecht scored twice for the Spartans in the win.

Nick Bonastia took the loss in net for Elmhurst, despite recording 20 saves and six ground balls. Cameron Brooks earned the win for the Spartans, allowing just one goal and recording three saves while playing 17 minutes. Tom Moriarty finished the final 43 minutes for the Spartans, allowing four goals while recording four saves.

Elmhurst hosts John Carroll University on Saturday, March 21, at 12:00 p.m.