CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.—The Bellarmine University lacrosse team struck first, but eventually fell 12-8 to the No. 9 Virginia Cavaliers this afternoon in a non-conference game at Klockner Stadium. 

After freshman Austin Shanks scored the game's first goal to give the Knights a 1-0 lead just 1:39 into the game, Bellarmine played toe-to-toe with the nationally ranked Cavaliers until a third quarter drought from the visitors allowed the home team the separation they needed to pull out the four-goal victory.

Virginia responded to the early deficit with three straight goals in the first period, but Bellarmine rallied with two straight to tie at 3-3 early in quarter number two.  The teams then traded mini-runs as UVA jumped out to a 5-3 only to have the Knights roar back to regain the lead at 6-5 with 5:49 remaining in the first half. However, UVA registered the final two scores of the first period to claim a 7-6 halftime lead. 

Out of the break, the Cavaliers came out and shut out the Knights during the third period while netting three goals of their own to open a 10-6 lead through three quarters. 

After UVA extended the lead to 11-7, Bellarmine broke thought for a pair of fourth quarter goals to get within 11-8, but Virginia closed the game's scoring at the 3:48 mark to win by the final of 12-8.

Bellarmine got hat tricks from Shanks and Cameron Gardner, with three goals apiece, while Virginia was led by 2013 All-American Mark Cockerton with four goals.   Also scoring for the Knights were Daniel Zamora and Chad Mitchell.  Bellarmine assists were recorded by Shanks (2), along with Gardner, Zamora, and Ryan Scinta.

For the game, Bellarmine outshot Virginia 43-31 while the Cavaliers held a 35-28 advantage in ground balls.  The remaining stats were relatively even with Bellarmine having one fewer turnover (12-13) and UVa winning one more face-off (12-11). 

In goal, Bellarmine's Will Haas recorded eight saves while UVA's Matt Barrett came up with 13 stops.

The Cavaliers improve to 9-5 on the season.  The loss—Bellarmine's first in non-conference competition—drops the Knights to 6-5 overall.
Bellarmine concludes its season with an April 26^th matchup on the road at Mercer.

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