LOUISVILLE, Ky. – On Saturday the Bellarmine University Knights lacrosse team will take the field against High Point University of North Carolina.

Currently classified as an independent institution High Point added lacrosse as a varsity sport in September of 2010 and the 2012-13 season is the Panthers' first official campaign. High Point will begin play in the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2014 joining other member institutions VMI, Richmond, Jacksonville, Mercer and Furman.

Despite the fact the Panthers are competing in their first year of Division I lacrosse Coach Kevin Burns understands no opponents can be overlooked this season. “While they are a new program they are unique in having sophomores and juniors that have been training and practicing in their system for a year and a half.” 

Bellarmine (2-0) is coming off of a big win against ECAC foe Michigan and will be looking to capture their first 3-0 start to a season since the team's inaugural year in 2005.

Offensively the Knights are being led this season by junior Cameron Gardner who in two games has already tallied eight points on seven goals and one assist. Bellarmine will also look to senior Lance Robinson (2g, 2a) and sophomore Dylan Gatt (2g, 1a) to provide offense for the Knights on Saturday.

Defensively Bellarmine will need to be stout against High Point's dynamic attackmen. Freshman Dan Lomas and sophomore Matt Thistle have each accumulated double digit points on the season, the lefty Lomas with 11 goals and Thistle with four goals and six assists.

The Knights will lean on senior goalkeeper Dillon Ward, who is coming off of the second best single game save total of his career (18), to hold the Panthers' potent attack duo in check. In front of Ward the Bellarmine long-poles will need to communicate on slides and play as a unit to shut down the High Point motion offense. 

Faceoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. February 23^rd at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

Check out BUKnights.com for live stats and video streaming of the game.