ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst women's lacrosse team dropped its home opener to Benedictine 14-6.

The Eagles (2-2) outscored the Bluejays 9-3 in the second half to take the win.

Grace Knoebel scored the first two goals for the Bluejays, including one on a free-position shot. Benedictine's Lexie Orr put Benedictine up 5-2, but Krystyna Kotlinski added her first on an up opportunity to pull Elmhurst within two at halftime.

In the second half, Benedictine came out of the gates firing, scoring six goals in 10 minutes to pull away. Elmhurst's second half goals came from Knoebel, Sam Sepke, and Ellen Brown.

Benedictine outshot the Bluejays 32-21, while holding 34-21 edge in ground balls. Elmhurst converted 10-of-19 clears and the Eagles were 15-of-21.

Knoebel paced the Elmhurst offense with three goals, while Brown added a goal and assist. Megan Keener made eight saves in the loss, while Knoebel spent the final 10 minutes in net and stopped five shots. Annette Stidham picked up a team-high nine ground balls.

Becca Gullett (four goals, 17 ground balls) and Jasmine Moreno (four goals, one assist) led the Eagles offensively, while Hannah Smith made 14 saves in earning her second win of the season.

Elmhurst hosts Northwestern (Minn.) on Saturday, March 18 at 4:00 p.m.