ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst men's lacrosse team surged back with a big second-half, but fell to Hendrix College 8-7. 

The Warriors jumped ahead early with two first-quarter goals from Alex Ortenstone and Travis Rabun. 
 

Mac Harden scored on a man-up opportunity late in the first quarter to pull Elmhurst within one. Matt Westhaver followed with a game-tying goal, assisted by David Fracassa, just over a minute into the second quarter. 

The Warriors headed into halftime with a 5-2 lead after a 3-0 run to end the half. 

Elmhurst scored three of the first four goals in the second half to pull within one (6-5) at the end of the third quarter. Jake Cambron scored his first of the year, while Harden notched his second of the game. Then Cambron put home his second of the game on a man-up opportunity and a Harden assist. 
 

The Warriors pulled ahead by three once again with a pair of goals, but the Bluejays fought back to within one with under a minute left. Carter Meyer scored the first goal of his career and then Jackson Mandli fired home his first of the season on a man-up opportunity. Hendrix held on from there to seal the 8-7 win.

Harden and Cambron led the Bluejay attack with two goals apiece, while Harden also added an assist and led the team in groundballs (five) and caused turnovers (five). Westhaver, Mandli, and Meyer added goals, while Cambron picked up four groundballs. Nick Bonastia made 10 saves in the loss. 

Rabun paced the Warriors with four goals, while four others tallied one. Jason Blatt totaled a game-high nine groundballs. 

Hendrix held the overall shot advantage 31-30, but Elmhurst took the lead in shots on goal 20-18. Elmhurst won the turnover battle and converted 15-of-18 clears, while the Warriors totaled more groundballs (34-28) and faceoff wins (12-7), while converting 16-of-20 clears. The Bluejays also scored on 3-of-4 man-up opportunities. 

The Bluejays host Benedictine Wednesday, March 2 at 7:00 p.m.