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Bellarmine University Athletics

Heather Gregory
Garry Jones
1
Bellarmine BU (4-8, 3-4 ECAC)
2
Winner Limestone LCFH2017 (11-0, 7-0 ECAC)
Bellarmine BU
(4-8, 3-4 ECAC)
1
Final
2
Limestone LCFH2017
(11-0, 7-0 ECAC)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 OT 3 F
Bellarmine BU 0 1 0 0 0 1
Limestone LCFH2017 0 1 0 0 1 2

Game Recap: Field Hockey | | by John Spugnardi, Sports Information Director

Knights drop heartbreaker to No. 8 Limestone in sudden death

GAFFNEY, S.C.—After 100 minutes of game action and a shootout period, the Bellarmine –Limestone field hockey game came down to a sudden-death shootout that the host Saints pulled out in the second round. 
 
The game will go down as a 2-1 loss for the Knights, who turned in arguably their best performance of the year against the No. 8 Saints, who improved to 11-0, 7-0 in league play.
 
"That was an outstanding game," said Bellarmine Coach Mark Blankenbaker. "We played well as a team and our effort was unparalleled this season.   We came up a little short tonight, but it's the best game we've played this year."
 
After the Eastern College Athletic Conference foes played to a scoreless tie in the first half, BU's Merit Harris collected a crossing pass from Lillie Nitzken and beat Limestone goalie Tabria Cochran for a 1-0 lead with 27 and a half minutes remaining in the second half.
 
The Saints got the equalizer with just 3:51 remaining in regulation when Kate Remley scored her 14th goal of the season as she converted a penalty corner.
 
In the overtime periods, the Knights—who were outshot 19-4 in regulation—became the aggressors, pelting the Limestone defense with 15 shots in the extra sessions.  However, Cochran was up to the task for Limestone as the Saints goalkeeper finished with 12 saves in the game. Bellarmine goalkeeper Heather Gregory also was outstanding on the night, turning away 10 shots.
 
In the first shootout period, both teams went 0-for-4 until Nitzken and Remley both converted for their respective teams.  The same two players led off the sudden death shootout and, again, they converted. Roos van den Berg recorded the game-winner for the Saints in the second round.
 
"I'm so proud of this team," Blankenbaker said. "Heather (Gregory) was outstanding.  She was composed and focused. In the overtime we really stepped up and dominated play.  We've been working hard on every aspect of the game, and it's starting to show," Blankenbaker said, "just in time to finish the season strong."
 
The Knights (4-8, 3-4 ECAC) are back in action Saturday afternoon as they face Converse College at 1 p.m.
 
For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights), Facebook (BUKnights) and the BUKnights mobile app available for iPhone and Android.
 
HTM BOX SCORE
 
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