ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst men's lacrosse team raced out to a 10-goal advantage before holding off a fourth quarter rally from Carthage College to defeat the Red Men 17-13 and secure a spot in next week's CCIW Tournament. 
 
Elmhurst ran its record to 9-5 overall and 4-1 in the CCIW with the victory. The Bluejays secured sole possession of second place in the CCIW standings and can secure a first-round home game in the tournament by defeating Augustana College on Saturday. 
 
Elmhurst controlled most of the action outshooting Carthage 39-12 in the opening half and finishing with a 51-39 edge in shots.
 
Carthage (12-4, 3-2 CCIW) jumped out to a 2-1 lead with goals eight seconds apart from Ethan Flight and Andy Szun. Elmhurst took over from that point, scoring the next six goals to move in front 7-2. Carthage scored back-to-back goals at the end of the first quarter and start of the second quarter, but the Bluejays closed the half on a 5-1 run to open up a 12-5 lead at the half.
 
Elmhurst opened the second half on a 4-1 run to move in front 16-6. The Bluejays led 17-7 at the start of the fourth quarter after a Mac Harden goal, but Carthage ripped off the next six goals, closing to within four goals with five minutes remaining, but the Red Men came no closer as the Bluejays preserved the four-goal win.
 
Marcus Yandall, Mac Harden, Andrew Frerich and Ty Funderburk combined to total 22 points in the Elmhurst win. Harden pumped in five goals, added an assist and collected seven ground balls while Yandall totaled four goals, three assists and five ground balls. Frerich also recorded a hat trick, tallying five points on three goals and two assists. Funderburk finished with two goals and two assists for the Bluejays. Nate Yuhas, Ryan Moran and Dan O'Connell all added goals for the Bluejays.
 
Harry Meredith made his first career start in goal and earned the win, recording 10 saves in the victory.
 
Szun led Carthage in the loss with seven points, tallying five goals and two assists. Brody Ilstrup added three goals for the Red Men. Sam Kotsonas was saddled with the loss in goal, surrendering 12 goals while recording 10 saves in the opening half of play. Kyle Guthrie played the second half in goal and allowed five goals while recording four saves.
 
Elmhurst closes out the 2019 regular season by hosting Augustana College on Saturday, April 26, at 2:00 p.m.