ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst men's lacrosse team slipped to 2-4 on the season after suffering a 12-6 loss to John Carroll University.

John Carroll (3-3) scored the game's first three goals as Keegan Flinter, Ryan Crater and Ryan Kelly all found the back of the net in the opening quarter.
 

Elmhurst sliced the lead down to two early in the second. Matt Westhaver forced a turnover in front of the net and shoveled the loose ball into the back of the net to put the Bluejays on the scoreboard.

John Carroll scored three times in the final 4:30 of the second quarter to build a 6-1 lead at the break.

Westhaver connected on his second goal of the game near the start of the third quarter to cut John Carroll's lead down to four. Brandon Bethran raced down the middle of the field on a two-on-one break and dished to Westhaver for the quick goal.

John Carroll answered back by scoring the final three goals of the quarter to take a 9-2 lead into the fourth quarter. The Bluejays had their strongest offensive quarter in the fourth, scoring four times and outscoring John Carroll 4-3. Alex Opyd scored an unassisted goal 1:16 into the quarter and Jackson Mandli added an unassisted tally just three minutes later to pull Elmhurst to within five at 9-4.

Flinter scored with 6:43 left to put John Carroll back in front by six. The Bluejays' Tyler Dailey netted his sixth goal of the year less than 90 seconds later to pull Elmhurst back to within five, but John Carroll scored back-to-back goals from Connor Pike and Brandon McNicholas to reestablish a seven-goal lead. Mandli scored his second goal of the game in the final 30 seconds to make the final score 12-6 in favor of John Carroll.

John Carroll outshot Elmhurst 38-34, but the Blue Streaks put 28 of their 38 shots on goal while Elmhurst managed only 15 of its 34 shots on net.

Westhaver and Mandli scored two goals apiece to lead the Bluejays in the loss. Westhaver and Kalani Flowers totaled four ground balls apiece for the Bluejays.

Nick Bonastia took the loss in goal, despite recording 16 saves in the contest.

Flinter powered John Carroll's attack, scoring three goals. Collin Rice finished with a four-point day, totaling two goals and two assists. Declan O'Grady added one goal and two assists for the Blue Streaks. Kyle Lake earned the win in the net, allowing five goals and recording eight saves in 50 minutes of action.

Elmhurst will look to snap it's two-game skid on March 25 when the squad travels to Transylvania University.