EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa.—The Bellarmine Knights field hockey team opened its 2019 season facing the defending national runner-up and experienced first-hand why their defense led the nation in goals-against average last year. The East Stroudsburg Warriors, ranked No. 3 this season, clamped down defensively on the Knights and took a 4-0 victory in both teams' season openers this afternoon at Whiteknight field..
Bellarmine showed pretty good defense of its own over the first 30 minutes, allowing just one goal to trail 1-0 at the intermission. However, the Warriors struck twice in the third quarter and made the margin 4-0 early in the fourth period. The Knights got off just one clean shot in the contest, but
Amber Hofenk Jerembo's hard smash was turned away by ESU goalie Maddie Richie.
"East Stroudsburg is a very skilled and respected team," said Bellarmine Coach
Devanny Boisvert. "Playing the No. 3 team in Division II was going to be a challenge for our first game, but I was excited for the opportunity to see how our team handled themselves and how they would overcome adversity with a strong opponent."
Overall, Boisvert was pleased with team's defensive effort. "Our team defense in the first half was tough," she said. "We were organized and made sure to have ball pressure all while being patient."
She also lauded her goalies (
Heather Gregory and
Breanna McWhorter) and defenders, calling them "rock stars" and singling out the play of
Jillian Fazio. "Jill had a great performance today, two defensive saves and was a key factor in us being able to generate the counter attack." Boisvert added that defenders
Alexa Rastigue and
Mariana Flores Gutierrez also had great showings in the backfield to help set the tone for the game.
Bellarmine's offense struggled against the potent East Stroudsburg defense, especially in the early going. However, Boisvert said by game's end the Knights ball movement was better, leading to three penalty corners in the fourth quarter.
"I am proud of how resilient and relentless the team was today," Boisvert added. "Although the score doesn't reflect our improvement, it definitely was a move in the right direction for this program. Now we just need to focus on executing on our opportunities in our attacking 25."
For the game, East Stroudsburg owned a whopping 22-1 shot advantage, and the Warriors drew 12 penalty corners to just three for Bellarmine.
The Knights have little time to regroup, as Bellarmine faces No. 9 Bloomsburg at noon tomorrow.
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