Box Score The Bellarmine University lacrosse suffered its first loss of the season today, dropping a 13-9 decision on the road at the Air Force Academy in the Eastern College Athletic Conference opener. 

Unlike the slow starts in the Knights' previous games, the teams combined for six first quarter goals with each team netting three.  Bellarmine's Chad Mitchell and the Falcons' Mike Crampton led the way in the opening period with two goals apiece.

The home squad found a little separation in the second quarter.  Air Force scored the first three goals of the period, then added two more after Bellarmine's Cameron Gardner notched his second goal of the game to take an 8-4 halftime lead.

After the break, Bellarmine closed the gap to just one goal as Austin Shanks, Mitchell and Ryan Scinta tallied unassisted goals.  However, the Knights never could quite pull even as Air Force's Christopher Allen scored back to back goals to give the hosts some breathing room.

Mitchell's fourth goal of the game pulled Bellarmine within two at 10-8, but that would be as close as the Knights would get as the Falcons  posted the 4-goal win.

Offensive leaders were Crampton for Air Force, who totaled five points with three goals and two assists, and Mitchell for Bellarmine, who also finished with five points on four goals and an assist.

Air Force fired off 50 shots on the day, while Bellarmine got off just 28.  The Knights  trailed by just two (17-15) in shots on target.  The Falcons also enjoyed success at the "X," winning 16 of 25 faceoffs. 

The Knights fall to 4-1 on the season and 0-1 in ECAC play.  Air Force improves to 3-3, 1-0 ECAC.

Bellarmine returns to action at home on Saturday, March 15, when they host the Wolverines of Michigan in a 1 p.m. contest.

BOX SCORE (HTM)