HARTSVILLE, S.C.—For the third time in as many games, the Bellarmine field hockey team had to work overtime, and for the third straight time, the Knights suffered the agony of defeat. 
 
Today, the host Coker Cobras scored the "golden goal" with just six seconds remaining in the second overtime to slip past the Knights 3-2.
 
For Bellarmine, the loss is a tough pill to swallow as the Knights easily won the statistical battle but lost the battle of the scoreboard.  In the nearly 80 minutes of game time, Bellarmine owned a 20-9 advantage in shots, including 15-8 in shots on goal.  However, Coker goalie Kelsey Gibbons came up with 13 saves to keep her team in the game.
 
Despite being the more aggressive team, the Knights were playing from behind for much of the game.  Coker got on the board first when Victory Humphreys converted off a penalty corner about midway through the second period.  
 
The Knights could not get a shot past Gibbons in the first half, and the Cobras enjoyed a 1-0 lead at the intermission. 
 
Alexa Rastigue finally broke through for the Knights 6:15 into the third period, but the Cobras answered six minutes later and led 2-1 after three quarters.
 
Merit Harris registered her 13^th goal of the season to pull the Knights even about midway through the fourth quarter.  Then, with time winding down in the fourth quarter, another Harris blast found the back of the cage, but officials ruled it came after time had expired.
 
In the extra sessions, Bellarmine had multiple opportunities, including shots by Harris and Lindsay Sturgeon that clanged off the post, but the Knights simply could not break through.
 
The Knights fall to 8-6 on the season while Coker improves to 10-6. 
 
Bellarmine returns to action tomorrow at noon when they face Newberry College.
 
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BOX SCORE (HTM)