LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This Bellarmine University field hockey team sure does know how to make a memorable first impression.
On Friday night at a soggy Owsley B. Frazier Stadium, junior midfielder
Merit Harris converted off a penalty corner in overtime as the Knights stunned seventh-ranked Saint Anselm 2-1.
"What a way to start our season," Bellarmine Coach
Mark Blankenbaker said. "The team was energetic, scrappy and never gave up. It was a hard-fought game on both sides. I'm very happy with the win. We'll enjoy it tonight, but we know we still have a lot of work to do. This team will be ready to get back to work in the morning."
Bellarmine (1-0) limited Saint Anselm (0-1) to one goal, which came late in the first half. The Hawks finished with a 12-5 shot advantage, but both defensive units were stingy when it came to allowing promising looks at the cage. Knights junior goalkeeper
Heather Gregory tallied five saves.
"We held a good team to one goal. The defense tonight was the difference," Blankenbaker said. "Heather had a phenomenal game with her organization and clears. Our two seniors,
Caroline Krill and
Sara Wilder, managed a great game in the middle. (Juniors)
Storm Thompson and
Mariana Flores Gutierrez were making their first-ever starts, and they were very impressive. The midfield did a good job recovering on defense and helped move the ball downfield."
After trailing 1-0 at halftime, Bellarmine struck quickly in the second half as sophomore midfielder
Jillian Fazio fired in a penalty stroke in the 39th minute. Fazio's first collegiate goal would be the final goal in regulation.
In the overtime, Bellarmine applied the pressure and was rewarded with a penalty corner. Junior forward
Lindsay Reynolds inserted to Harris at the top of the circle. Harris, from just inside the circle, rifled a low shot to the left that was slotted inside the post for the golden goal.
"Saint Anselm is a skilled and talented team, and I am proud of our girls for working hard and never giving up," Blankenbaker said. "Although Saint Anselm had more opportunities during regulation, we let the ball do the work during overtime. The OT was just as we planned: Our spacing was good, we switched on defense and we really held our composure."
Bellarmine's next match will pose another stiff challenge. The Knights host No. 10 Bloomsburg at 11 a.m. (ET) Monday.
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