ADA, Ohio – The Elmhurst men's lacrosse team scored nine consecutive second-half goals to erase a six-goal halftime deficit and rally past Ohio Northern University 12-10 in the Bluejays' season-opener.
 
Elmhurst (1-0) scored the opening goal of the game, before digging itself an early hole. Ohio Northern dug itself an early hole as Ohio Northern (0-1) closed the first quarter on a 5-0 run to open up a four-goal cushion after 15 minutes.
 
The Polar Bears added to their lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Bluejays 4-2 to take a 9-3 lead into the locker room at halftime. Ohio Northern outshot Elmhurst 23-15 in the opening half, including a 12-3 edge in the first quarter.
 
Elmhurst turned things around in the second half as the Bluejays slowly erased ONU's lead. A pair of goals from Marcus Yandall and goals from Ty Funderburk, Mac Harden and Andrew Frerich brought the Bluejays to within a goal at 9-8 after three quarters of action.
 
The Bluejays continued the offensive onslaught in the fourth quarter. Funderburk found the back of the net less than two minutes into the quarter to pull the Bluejays even at 9-9. Four minutes later, Funderburk ripped home his fourth goal of the contest to give Elmhurst its first lead of the game since the opening quarter.
 
Harden gave the Bluejays a two-goal cushion with his second goal of the contest with 7:19 left to play. Dan O'Connell netted his first goal of the game with 4:28 remaining to extend Elmhurst's lead to three and effectively put the game out of reach.
 
Ohio Northern tacked on a goal in the final 90 seconds to make the final score 12-10 in favor of the Bluejays.
 
Elmhurst finished the contest outshooting Ohio Northern 40-34, including a 25-11 advantage in the second half. ONU held a slim 36-31 edge in ground balls.
 
Funderburk paced the Bluejays in the contest, finishing with six points on four goals and two assists. Yandall added four points with two goals and two assists while Frerich added three goals for the Bluejays. Harden finished with three points on two goals and an assist while O'Connell tallied a goal and an assist for the Bluejays. Cullen Nordeman added an assist for Elmhurst.
 
Noah Bachofen earned the win in goal in relief for the Bluejays. Bachofen allowed just two goals while recording eight saves in 37 minutes of action.
 
Cmaeron Marcus led ONU in the loss with four goal and an assist. Alex Pizarro took the loss in net, allowing 12 goals while recording 11 saves.

Elmhurst hosts Hope College on Saturday, February 23.