LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women's soccer team's identity right now means that close games are a given, and as a result it stood to reason that the Knights were destined to falter in a match they largely controlled.
That's what unfolded Sunday at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium, as Bellarmine nearly tripled the shot total of Lindenwood but couldn't find the net as the Lions pulled off a 1-0 upset over the Knights in Great Lakes Valley Conference play.
Bellarmine (7-3, 4-3 GLVC) was shut out for the second time this season as the Knights' four-game winning streak was snapped by Lindenwood (3-6, 2-5). Bellarmine scored only one goal in regulation time over its last three contests — it came on a penalty kick against Missouri-St. Louis in what became the team's second straight successful double-overtime affair — and the lack of finishing haunted the Knights in the loss to the Lions.
"I still love our team," Knights Coach
Chris Tinius said, "but this is just who we are. We are going to be in just about every game because of the many things we do well. We will also be vulnerable in every game."
As happened against UMSL on Friday, a Bellarmine mishit on a clear attempt helped lead to a goal against the Knights. In the 49th minute, an intended clear with a header by a Bellarmine defender deflected back toward the Knights' goal, and Lindenwood's Maggie Miller headed it inside the right post for a 1-0 lead. Bellarmine was unable to answer Miller's third goal of the season.
"That's a tough result but one we knew would be coming if we weren't sharp," Tinius said. "Lindenwood played hard, was organized and took their chance. They deserve to win no matter how many shots we accumulated."
Bellarmine accumulated a lot of them. The Knights finished with a 23-8 advantage in shots, including 9-6 on goal. Bellarmine had a 7-2 edge in corner kicks.
Megan Swanson collected nine saves for Lindenwood, none bigger than when she thwarted a penalty kick in the first half.
"We'll keep trying different combinations until something clicks in front of goal," Tinius said. "Again, I love our kids and like our team. We need to be ready to bounce back next week; there's not much more you can say."
Bellarmine begins a four-game road trip by playing Friday at Illinois Springfield.
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