NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Senior attacker Eli Spence opened the 2026 men's lacrosse season by claiming the first edition of the CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week award, after the Bluejays claimed a 17-11 road win at Centre (Ky.) on Saturday.

Spence led the Jays with five goals and seven assists against the Colonels, as Elmhurst won the season debut for the third time in the past four years. The Snoqualmie, Wash. native also set a new all-time Elmhurst record for career points, scoring his 295th point in the win.

The Bluejays close out the two-match road trip to start the season on Saturday, when they travel to face Denison (Ohio) on Feb. 21.