LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University field hockey team on Friday had problems locating the net early against Saint Thomas Aquinas. Once senior forward Kathryn Schneidtmiller found it, though, the Knights became frequent visitors.

Schneidtmiller delivered a hat trick and her two goals late in the first half jump-started Bellarmine on its way to a 5-1 victory over the Spartans in a nonconference match at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

"A 'Kat trick' is a great way to start the weekend," Bellarmine Coach Mark Blankenbaker said.

Senior midfielders Aimee Ilgenfritz and Anna O'Toole chipped in goals for Bellarmine (7-4) against Saint Thomas Aquinas (1-11), while senior forward Kelsey O'Bryan, sophomore midfielder Caroline Krill and junior midfielder Elle Lichte all tallied an assist.

Although the final score was one-sided, Schneidtmiller's first goal was actually sorely needed and perhaps the most important of the match. The Knights sent a tidal wave of shots at the Spartans and goalkeeper Kaitlyn Gee — who finished with 14 saves — but they came up empty on their first 19 attempts in the first half.

The breakthrough came on the 20th opportunity while trailing 1-0. With less than three minutes remaining before halftime, Schneidtmiller immediately followed a Knights timeout by redirecting a pass from O'Bryan into the net knotting the score at 1-1.

That provided the boost Bellarmine needed. Roughly one minute later, Schneidtmiller put the Knights ahead when she converted off a feed from Krill.

"St. Thomas played very well, especially on the defensive end," Blankenbaker said. "They put a lot of pressure on us, which made it difficult for us to score in the beginning. We made an adjustment at halftime, which allowed us to finish in front of the cage."

Indeed, Bellarmine scored three more times after the intermission. Schneidtmiller secured a hat trick in the 42nd minute when she poked in her third goal off a pass from Lichte. Ilgenfritz then stuck a rebound in the 45th minute, and O'Toole buried a shot in the 55th minute to cap the scoring.

Schneidtmiller bumped her team-leading goal total to eight. It was the second hat trick of her career following the one she had against Newberry in September of 2014. Ilgenfritz and O'Toole now have six goals apiece. O'Bryan leads Bellarmine with six assists.

Bellarmine stacked up 34 shots to four for Saint Thomas Aquinas. The Knights also had a 24-2 superiority in penalty corners.

"I thought our depth showed today," Blankenbaker said. "We never had a drop-off when we subbed in, and that was a major factor in the second half with keeping pressure on their cage. Our seniors had a great day: Kat, Aimee and Anna stepped up and led the way. Our defense worked well together limiting them to four shots. Overall, it was a good win. I'm proud of our team's effort."

Bellarmine hosts Eastern College Athletic Conference rival Lindenwood at noon (ET) Saturday. The Knights will honor their seniors.

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