ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst University men's soccer team battled Illinois Tech to a 1-1 draw on Monday night at Langhorst Field.

Illinois Tech (3-4-1) struck first in the 19th minute when Cal Graham finished off a pass from Paul Balea to give the Scarlet Hawks a 1-0 advantage. Elmhurst (3-5-2) generated several chances in response, including early shots from Victor Lewicki, Dario Gutierrez, and Jacob Wipke, but could not break through before halftime.

The Bluejays finally drew level in the 64th minute. Freshman Klaus Gartner scored his first collegiate goal at the 63:29 mark, finishing from close range to knot the score at 1-1. Elmhurst continued to push for a winner late, with attempts from Caden Sultzbaugh and Isaac Puchalla forcing saves from Illinois Tech's goalkeepers, but the match ended even.

Elmhurst registered 10 total shots, five on target, led by Gutierrez and Wipke with two attempts each. Gartner's goal proved the difference-maker offensively, while Puchalla, Lewicki, and Sultzbaugh also put efforts on frame.

Defensively, goalkeeper Niyen Ruffin anchored the Bluejays with four saves, three coming in the second half. The backline limited Illinois Tech to just two corner kicks before halftime and stood tall during a late surge that included three second-half saves by Ruffin.

Elmhurst was whistled for eight fouls and picked up yellow cards on Sultzbaugh and Andrew Walters. Illinois Tech finished with 13 fouls and was flagged offside seven times.