GAFFNEY, S.C.—The host Limestone Saints registered two goals in the game's final six minutes to pull away for a 3-1 win over the Bellarmine Knights this afternoon in an Eastern College Athletic Conference field hockey contest.

After a scoreless first half, Jill Funkhouser put the first goal on the board for the 10^th-ranked Saints, firing a shot from the top of the circle just 4:04 into the second period. 

The Knights' offense picked up their activity later in the half, and Lillie Nitzken got an equalizing score with 8:54 remaining in the game off an Aimee Ilgenfritz assist.  Limestone more than answered, however, with Funkhouser again striking from the top of the circle and Nicolle Grant adding an insurance goal with less than three minutes remaining.

"We had a great effort today," said Bellarmine Coach Mark Blankenbaker.  "Limestone is a good team…they're not ranked No. 10 by mistake.  We played well enough to win, but made a few mistakes that cost us. I think we learned a lot about ourselves today and showed a lot of poise and character."

Limestone was the aggressor throughout the game, outshooting the Knights 7-1 in the first period and finishing with an 18-11 advantage in shots, including an 11-3 margin in shots on goal.

Bellarmine's defense came up with eight stops on the day—seven by goalie Sara Nicolas and a defensive save by Mary Ringwald, her second of the season.

The Knights fall to 8-6 overall and 1-4 in ECAC play.  The Saints improve to 8-4, 4-1 ECAC. 

Bellarmine will conclude their regular season conference play with a noon game tomorrow at Newberry College.

BOX SCORE (HTM)