LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the Bellarmine University lacrosse team, sandwiched in between six Southern Conference games are two non-league opponents.
The first matchup couldn't have gone better. The Knights are hoping the second has a similar ring to it.
On Saturday, Bellarmine (3-5) will meet Air Force (5-5) at Carroll Senior High School in Southlake, Texas, in its first game since achieving one of the most notable victories in program history, a commanding 9-3 triumph over 13th-ranked Marquette on Tuesday at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.
First face-off in the Lone Star State is scheduled for 1 p.m. (ET).
After dropping four of five games — albeit in tightly contested battles — Bellarmine played inspired lacrosse against the Golden Eagles and was in control for the vast majority of the game. Marquette scored two of its three goals in a roughly two-minute span in the third period, but freshman goalkeeper
Drew Goethals and the Knights' back line hardly gave an inch otherwise.
In doing so, Bellarmine became the first team in the Southern Conference to knock off a ranked opponent. Another stout defensive effort — Marquette was the fourth-straight opponent BU limited to less than 10 goals — has the Knights ranked second in the SoCon in goals-against average (9.38).
Sophomore attack
Austin Shanks had a standout game offensively against Marquette, piling up three goals and three assists. His score following an expert pass in transition from senior defender
Colin Hart triggered five unanswered goals for the Knights in the final period, delivering a lopsided outcome to what had been a competitive game. Shanks' 20 goals place him second in the SoCon at 2.5 per game.
Shanks is one of four Knights to have amassed double-digit goals thus far. Sophomore attack
Jack Perkins is putting together a breakout season with 12 goals and five assists, sophomore attack
Tucker Ciessau has scored 11 times and senior attack
Dylan Gatt has put away 10 goals. Senior midfielder
Ryan Scinta has tallied a team-best six assists.
Freshman face-off specialist
Connor Harryman was another hero of the victory over Marquette, winning 12-of-16 face-offs, collecting nine ground balls and netting the first goal of his career. Harryman leads the Knights with 29 ground balls, and Hart is close by with 25 and a team-high 12 caused turnovers.
Air Force will be another formidable opponent for Bellarmine. The Falcons' record might be even, but two of their losses came against national powers Denver and Duke, which are currently ranked fifth and seventh, respectively. Also, Air Force defeated Furman and Detroit, both of which notched wins over the Knights.
Like Bellarmine, Air Force has four players who have accumulated double-digit goals. Attack Chris Walsch is having a tremendous freshman campaign with 27 goals and 10 assists. Senior attack Keith Dreyer has racked up 16 goals and 11 assists, freshman attack Nick Hruby also has 16 goals and junior midfielder Christopher Allen has chipped in 12. Junior goalkeeper Doug Gouche ranks 17th in the nation in goals-against average at 8.46.
Bellarmine (3-5) vs. Air Force (5-5)Date: Saturday, April 4
Opening face-off: 1 p.m. (ET)
Location: Carroll Senior High School (Southlake, Texas)
