ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst men's soccer team closed out its 2017 season with a hard-fought 2-1 loss to eighth-ranked North Park University.
 
Facing the CCIW Champion and No. 8 team in the nation, Elmhurst (8-8-2, 3-5-0 CCIW) faced a 1-0 deficit at the half. North Park (15-1-1, 7-0-1 CCIW) took a 1-0 lead on a Shatil Khoury goal in the 24th minute.
 
Elmhurst came out strong in the second half and scored the equalizer in the 58th minute of play. Alex Lains sent a cross that was headed on by Zach Clements to a wide open Griffen Andes. Andes collected the pass from Clements and buried the shot into the back of the net to pull the Bluejays even at 1-1.
 
North Park reclaimed the lead for good 10 minutes later. Marrion Alvaro found space along the end line and walked into the box, centering a pass to Gustav Ericsson. Ericsson found the back of the net to score the game-winning goal and lift North Park to the win.
 
North Park outshot Elmhurst 17-10 in the contest, but by only two shots (8-6) in the second half.
 
Playing his final game of his career in goal, Nick King recorded seven saves in net for the Bluejays.
 
Elmhurst finished the 2017 season with an 8-8-2 overall record and a 3-5 mark in the CCIW.