LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It was announced Wednesday afternoon that the Bellarmine University men's soccer team is the preseason favorite to win the Great Lakes Valley Conference, and the Knights gave a glimpse why in the second half that evening in an exhibition against Hanover.

In its first competitive action of the season, Bellarmine scored four goals after the intermission in less than a 10-minute span while senior forward Tomas Bernedo and freshman midfielder Andrew Minnis located the net twice apiece in a 5-0 romp over the Panthers at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

In addition to two goals each from Bernedo and Minnis, junior midfielder Logan Hankamer added a goal as Bellarmine erupted in the second half after being fortunate to hold a 1-0 lead at halftime. Minnis also tallied an assist, as did junior midfielders Greg Fischer and Collin Rose and senior midfielder Mark Lanham.

Hanover had at least three very promising looks at the goal in the first half. Bellarmine sophomore goalkeeper Connor Range saved a pair of the shots, and the Knights needed a defensive save to thwart the other attempt.

Bellarmine scored its lone goal in the first half in the 19th minute. From near the left sideline, Fischer crossed to Bernedo at the top of the goal area, and he knocked in a header for a 1-0 lead.

It took a while for Bellarmine to find the net in the second half, but once it happened for the Knights, it was an onslaught. Rose found Bernedo just inside the right corner of the goal box, and Bernedo slotted a shot inside the far post for a 2-0 lead in the 68th minute.

Minnis, in his first outing at Bellarmine, scored the next two goals. Lanham had perfect touch on a lead pass to Minnis, who drained a shot from 20 yards in the 74th minute. A little over two minutes later, Minnis stopped a clear attempt by the Hanover goalkeeper and found himself with an open net from around 40 yards out, blasting in his second goal.

Minnis was also involved in Bellarmine's fifth and final goal, spotting Hankamer for the exclamation point in the 77th minute.

Bellarmine finished with a 23-9 advantage in shots, including 11-5 on frame. The Knights notched 11 corner kicks. Range and junior Andrew Hagan combined for the shutout in goal.

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