LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University lacrosse team is no longer a conference combatant of Michigan, but the Knights' rivalry with the Wolverines is alive and well.

At 1 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, Bellarmine will open its 2015 campaign when it visits Michigan for a clash at Oosterbaan Field House. The Knights and the Wolverines were previously members of the Eastern College Athletic Conference. BU is now affiliated with the Southern Conference, while Michigan is tied to the Big Ten's newly formed league.

Last season, the Wolverines and Knights engaged in a thriller at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium. Michigan ultimately took the contest 11-10 in overtime. Two years ago, Bellarmine handled the Wolverines 12-6 in a matchup that was also on the Knights' home turf. In 2012, in their inaugural clash against each other, BU traveled to Ann Arbor and pulled out a 13-9 victory.

"It's a great test for us," BU Coach Kevin Burns said. "They beat us last year in overtime, and we beat them a few years prior to that. It's a nice little rivalry we've got going on. They're a great team to open up with."

The meeting will take place in a setting that is fairly unique for Bellarmine. Oosterbaan Field House provides an indoor setting where the field width is approximately 10 yards narrower than the typical dimensions, Burns said. The Knights recently participated in a scrimmage against Notre Dame in a similar venue, and they played indoors against Detroit last year, although that game occurred on a full-length field.

It will be imperative for Bellarmine to have the proper spacing and field awareness necessary to navigate the constricted area.

"Michigan likes to be aggressive and press out on defense, so we won't have as much room to get away from them," Burns said. "It really clogs things up a little bit more, and they take advantage of it. They practice in there every day and know how to use that to their advantage.

"They're disciplined and aggressive in a lot of ways. They like to use their athleticism and get out after you. They have some crazy athletes who have now been starting for two or three years."

Michigan had three players selected to the Big Ten's Players to Watch list. They included sophomore attack Ian King, sophomore midfielder Mikie Schlosser and sophomore goalie Gerald Logan. King led the Wolverines last season in points (33) and goals (32), while Schlosser scored 11 goals. Logan, who missed last season due to injury, led the country in saves per game (15.07) as a freshman.

"They're good in all aspects of the game," BU sophomore attack Tucker Ciessau said. "They don't have one specific weakness. We have to play a team game."

Ciessau led Bellarmine in goals last season with 24. Sophomore attack Austin Shanks was right behind him with 22, while senior midfielder Ryan Scinta added 13 goals and 10 assists.

"Offensively we've got a lot of skill players," Scinta said. "We've just got to share the ball and play team offense. If everybody buys into that mentality, we'll be very successful offensively."

After several months of training, the Knights have been highly anticipating their first game action.

"Getting ready for a real game is incredible," Ciessau said. "We want to show the rest of the country what we can do on the field."

Fans may follow the game live here.