LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bellarmine field hockey dominated Friday's home game against Central Michigan, winning 3-0, and recording its first shut-out victory in the Division I era.
Along with putting up their first defensive goose egg, the Knights picked up their first ever Mid-American Conference home win and first two-game winning streak after a 2-1 victory at Ball State last week.
Despite getting out-shot 13-5, the Bellarmine offense was crisp and capitalized on its chances. The Knights weathered an early Central Michigan push and scored with under four minutes left in the opening quarter. With three goals in her last three games, sophomore
Anna Crump scored her fifth goal of the season from close range. Freshman
Marit van der Bend tallied her fourth assist of the year.
Bellarmine struck again in the second quarter with its other top scorer – junior
Amber Hofenk Jerembo. On a breakaway, Hofenk Jerembo sized up CMU goalkeeper Katie Maxim and fired it home to give the Knights a 2-0 lead with under seven minutes to play in the half - Hofenk Jerembo's sixth goal of the season. Bellarmine would have two other potential breakaway chances in the second period but were unable to convert.
BU's offense did not let up in the third quarter as Crump continued her hot stretch. She collected an excellent touch pass from freshman
Julia Doornebos in front of the cage and scored her second goal of the afternoon just over five minutes into the second half. It was Crump's sixth goal of the season and Doornebos' third assist.
From there, the Bellarmine defense took over. The Chippewas racked up seven penalty corners and eight shots on goal but failed to score. Along with stellar team defense and strong work from freshman
Isabel Gladys, senior goalkeeper
Breanna McWhorter was again fantastic. She made seven saves and earned her first shutout as a DI keeper.
After Friday's game, McWhorter has now recorded seven saves or more in each of the last seven games. Her total of 117 ranks third in the nation.
Crump has five goals and 11 points in her last four games, while Hofenk Jerembo has scored a goal in three consecutive games.
Bellarmine moves to 3-11 this season and will play its final road/MAC game of the season at Miami OH (7-10, 4-1 MAC) next Friday, Oct. 29, at 2:00 p.m. The Knights then return home for the season finale and senior day on Oct. 31 against St. Francis at Frazier Stadium.
