LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University field hockey team suffered its first loss of the season after falling 2-0 to No. 8 Bloomsburg on Saturday afternoon at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

A 12-time DII national champion, Bloomsburg (3-1) held the lead throughout the match with the Knights (3-1). Freshman Ali McKay tallied both goals for the Huskies. Her first was scored in the first three minutes of the match and second came in the last six minutes of the contest. The assist on the second goal came from sophomore Abby Sauder.

Bellarmine was unable to get on the board Saturday afternoon. Although unable to finish around the cage, senior Kelsey O'Bryan and junior Lillie Nitzken each had two shots on goal.

Junior Mary Ringwald was a standout with two defensive saves. Freshman goalkeeper Brittanny Macnab was also strong with four saves. Her counterpart, Lindsay Cassel, stood out with seven saves and the shutout.

Both teams attempted 12 shots. Bellarmine had an 8-5 advantage in attempts in the first half, but Bloomsburg had a 7-4 edge after the intermission.

Bellarmine was down only one goal with less than six minutes remaining against a Huskies squad that defeated top-ranked and defending national champion East Stroudsburg in its previous match.

"You never like a loss," Knights Coach Mark Blankenbaker said, "but we played our best game yet this year and I'm really proud of them."

The Knights will hit the road next weekend as they travel to Pennsylvania to play Slippery Rock and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

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