ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Elmhurst broke the match open with a pair of second-half goals and posted a 3-1 victory over Augustana on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Thorson-Lucken Field. The Vikings fell to 5-6-2 on the season and 2-3-1 in the CCIW, while the Bluejays improved to 10-7-1 overall and 4-3 in the league.
 
Freshman Nathan Clay (University HS, Bloomington, Ill.) scored in the 13th minute to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. The goal was the first of Clay's career and junior Salah Aghlaf (Sabrine HS, Casablanca, Morocco) was credited with the assist.
 
Augustana's advantage lasted less than four minutes however, as Elmhurst's Luke Deel found the found the back of the net in minute 17 with the help of an Eric Berezne assist.
 
The sides went to halftime tied, as the Bluejays put three of nine shots on frame in the first half and the Vikings two of five.
 
Keegan Thompson's penalty kick goal in minute 49 gave Elmhurst the lead for good. The Bluejays got an insurance goal from Justin Cabrera in the 73rd minute.
 
The final 17 minutes saw the last two of seven cautions issued in the match, as well as an ejection of Augustana senior Matt Allen (Batavia HS, Batavia, Ill.).
 
Elmhurst finished with a 17-8 edge in shot attempts, including 7-3 in shots on goal. Senior Jeremy Klaber (Stevenson HS, Buffalo Grove, Ill.) recorded four saves and Bluejay Donnie Kvien a pair. Elmhurst took 13 of a whopping 19 corners on the day. The Vikings were whistled for 22 of 36 fouls in the match and received five of the seven cautions.
 
Coach Mick Regan's outfit will try and even its record when it travels to North Central to face the Cardinals on Wednesday, October 30. Kickoff at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.