KENOSHA, Wis. – The Elmhurst University men's lacrosse team fell in overtime to Carthage College, 13-14, in its conference-opener at Art Keller Field.

The Firebirds struck first with a goal from Colin Poitras at 11:49, but the Bluejays responded 35 seconds later with a goal from Parker O'Leary to tie things up.

Elmhurst (8-2/0-1 CCIW) netted back-to-back goals to hold a 3-1 advantage over Carthage with 8:48 left in the opening quarter. Carthage's Poitras found the back of the net with 2:48 remaining to cut the Bluejay lead to just one, but Ryan Swank extended the Elmhurst lead back to 4-2 with his first goal of the contest.

Carthage (8-2/1-0 CCIW) scored four unanswered goals and shutout the Bluejays in the second quarter to head into the locker room up 6-4.

The Firebirds led by as many as four, 9-5, with 10:39 left in the third quarter, but Elmhurst rattled off four consecutive goals, featuring a pair from both Kaden Ames and Eli Spence, to tie things up once again 9-9.

Both squads went back-and-forth and ended up tied 13-13 at the end of regulation play. In overtime, the winner is decided by whoever scores first. Carthage's Poitras scored the game-winning goal in the first 23 seconds of overtime for the Firebirds to earn the win.

Elmhurst was led by Ames who finished with five goals. Spence chipped in two goals and four assists, while Sante Dybowski added in a pair of goals and assists for the Bluejays. Swank contributed two goals and one assist, while O'Leary netted two goals in the loss. Dybowski also picked up a team-high seven groundballs.

Poitras led the way for Carthage with five goals. Alec Gern added in four goals and one assist, while Ben Krok chipped in two goals and an assist in the win. Rounding out the goal scorers for the Firebirds was Andrew Johnson who finished with three goals and one assist. Corbin Van Duyne won 16-of-31 faceoffs and picked up a game-high 13 groundballs as well.

Josiah Gartner earned the win in goal for Carthage with 17 saves, while Noah Mickelson collected 14 saves for Elmhurst in the loss.

The Bluejays look to bounce back on Wednesday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. when they welcome Augustana College to Langhorst Field.