ELMHURST, Ill. – A second-half surge propelled the Elmhurst women's lacrosse team to an 8-7 win over Carroll.
 
After the Pioneers (2-13, 0-4 CCIW) scored the first goal of the second half and led 6-4, the Bluejays (2-11, 1-2 CCIW) came roaring back to take the lead 7-6 with three straight tallies. Krystyna Kotlinski, Sam Sepke, and Grace Knoebel led the charge to the Elmhurst's first lead since early in the opening half.
 
Kotlinski added an insurance goal with 17 minutes to go, giving Elmhurst its largest lead at 8-6. Carroll pulled within one just two minutes later, but the Bluejays held on to take the victory.
 
Kotlinski also scored Elmhurst's first goal in the opening minutes. Knoebel netted the next two for Elmhurst, one to go ahead 2-1 and the next to tie the score at three. After the Pioneers took a 5-3 lead, Sepke fired home a shot from the near left side with 12 seconds left in the half to pull Elmhurst within one at the break.
 
The Bluejays outshot Carroll 15-9 in the first half, but both teams posted seven shots on goal. Elmhurst led in draw controls 7-4 and the visitors held the edge in ground balls 10-8. Elmhurst converted 5-of-7 clears, while the Pioneers were 4-of-9.
 
The trio of Kotlinski, Knoebel, and Sepke led the Bluejays to a strong second half and the win.
 
Kotlinski and Knoebel both posted a game-high three goals, while Sepke added two for the Bluejays. Megan Keener made six saves and picked up a team-high six ground balls. In the final minute, Keener faced a one-on-one opportunity against Carroll's leading scorer and came up with a clutch save to preserve the lead.
 
Elmhurst outshot the Pioneers 27-19, while also leading in draw controls (12-6). The Bluejays converted 13-of-18 clear attempts, while Carroll held a 23-15 edge in ground balls.
 
Ariannah Ritter and Donna January both scored twice for Carroll. January also added six ground balls and six caused turnovers, both game highs. Shelby Schoob took the loss despite stopping seven Elmhurst attempts.
 
The Bluejays host Augustana College on Saturday, April 22 at 4:00 p.m.