MILWAUKEE, Wisc.—The Bellarmine Knights dug a hole just a little too deep in the first quarter, and the host Marquette Golden Eagles hung on for an 11-10 victory on Saturday afternoon under the dome at Valley Fields.
 
The Golden Eagles (2-0) soared to a 7-0 lead after the first 15 minutes as the Knights tallied more turnovers than shots in quarter number one. 
 
However, Bellarmine didn't panic and methodically trimmed the lead to just one with 46 seconds left in the game when Morgan Macko hit Brayden Brown for a leaping shot and goal. 
 
Macko then scooped up the ground ball on the ensuing faceoff, but the Knights' 21st turnover of the game gave the ball back to Marquette before Bellarmine could get off a shot, and the Golden Eagles were able to run out the clock for the win.
 
While eight turnovers spelled much of Bellarmine's doom in the first quarter, perhaps even more telling was the 12-2 ground ball advantage the Golden Eagles held in the opening period. From that point on, however, ground balls and turnovers were essentially even, and Bellarmine outscored Marquette in each of the last three quarters.

"It's a credit to our kids that they never stopped competing," said Bellarmine Coach Andrew Whitley.  "Marquette's athleticism got the best of us early on. I was really happy that the guys dug in and played harder as the game wore on.  They trusted our systems, and we elevated our execution."

"You could see the confidence build as we chipped away at the lead," Whitley added. "Obviously I'm disappointed in the outcome, but there are some things we can definitely build around going forward." 
 
Brown carried most of the Bellarmine scoring load, ringing up a career-high four goals and adding an assist while Luke Legnard totaled four points with two of each.  Macko chipped in a goal and an assist as did Landon Trout.  Freshman Benny O'Rourk and James Whiteford scored a goal apiece, and Blake Roshkowski handed out one assist to round out the Bellarmine scoring.
 
Freshman goalie JC Higginbotham turned in an outstanding final 45 minutes.  After making just one save while facing 12 on-target shots in the first quarter, the Plano, Texas native stopped eight of 12 shots headed for the net in the final three quarters to help give the Knights a chance.  
 
Marquette's Connor McClelland claimed game-high scoring honors by matching Brown's four goals while adding a pair of assists.
 
After getting outshot 11-3 in the first quarter, Bellarmine came back to trail just 33-32 in the final shot count. The Golden Eagles also held slim leads in faceoffs (12-11) and turnovers (20-21), and ground balls ended 40-28 in favor of Marquette.
 
The Knights (0-2) make their home debut on Tuesday afternoon at 3:55 when they welcome Hampton to Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.
 
 
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