Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Apr. 19, 2017 - A closely-contested affair came down a few key plays for the North Central College men's lacrosse team on Wednesday, as the Cardinals sustained a 9-5 setback against the Augustana College Vikings at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

The Cardinals (9-3, 1-2 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) outshot their visitors, 30-27, and put a total of 24 shots on goal, but Augustana gained extra possessions with its success on faceoffs and made just enough defensive plays to depart Naperville with the win.

North Central was kept off the scoreboard in the first quarter, as the Vikings scored twice in rapid succession midway through the period to pull in front. Taking advantage of an Augustana turnover, the Cardinals were able to score their first goal just 47 seconds into the second quarter as Noah Parrill connected for his 20th goal of the season. A goal by the VIkings' Lee Whorwell was answered by Tommy Huizinga's score with 9:35 left in the first half, but Augustana found the net twice more before time ran out to take a 5-2 advantage into the break.

Huizinga scored a second goal off an assist by Danny Boyle with 9:04 left in the third period. The Cardinals scored twice in the fourth quarter, as Steven Faux picked up a ground ball in his own defensive zone and traversed more than half the length of the field for a score and Ethan Hurst scored on Huizinga's pass with 2:19 to play to take advantage of a man-up opportunity.

Sean Tomonari led the Cardinals with five ground balls and four caused turnovers, while goalkeeper Dylan Cost saved 12 shots. Augustana's (6-8, 2-1 CCIW) McKay Potter won 12 of 17 faceoffs, while Whorwell and Jared Hawkins led the scoring with two goals each and Jake Ellis saved 19 shots on goal.

North Central travels to face Elmhurst College (6-8, 2-2) on Saturday. Play at Langhorst Field is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.