ST. LOUIS--The Bellarmine field hockey team's Division I and season debut came Saturday afternoon as the Knights fell to Saint Louis University 2-0 at SportPort International in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri.
 
Sophomore midfielder Demi Sahkula and freshman midfielder Brooke Mason scored for the Billikens, while goalkeeper Kendyl Underwood picked up three saves for Saint Louis.
 
Sahkula scored off a penalty stroke to put the Billikens up 1-0 and Mason added her first of the season with less than five minutes left in regulation to make it 2-0 for Saint Louis.
 
On the Bellarmine side, junior goalkeeper Breanna McWhorter made six saves for the Knights while sophomore defender Grace Dukes, sophomore midfielder Teresa Schmidt, and freshmen Anna Crump and Lauren Marshall each got off a shot for the Knights.
 
The Billikens outshot Bellarmine19-4 in the game with SLU sophomore Grace Golembiewski getting off five shots to lead the hosts.
 
"Although the outcome was not what we wanted, there were some really good things that happened during our first Division I game today," said Bellarmine head coach Devanny Boisvert. "SLU did a great job at attacking our right side and using their speed on our backs. We definitely need to do a better job at connection on the attacking end. Although SLU was able to convert on a penalty stroke and we had a defensive breakdown that resulted in a goal, our defense remained solid and composed."
 
Boisvert singled out McWhorter for her performance today. "Bre McWhorter was solid for us in the cage today," said Boisvert. "She made some beautiful saves and was so close to saving the penalty stroke." Overall, Boisvert was proud of the way that the team competed. "It felt good to get our first game and some experience under our belt but also for the opportunity to play after 475 days," she said.
 
Bellarmine stays in the "Gateway to the West" for another 1 p.m. tilt against the Billikens on Sunday at Sportport. "We did a great job at adjusting to the surface and the style of play at the Division I level and are ready to continue our improvement. We will refocus on our game plan for tomorrow and be ready for our next game against SLU." said Boisvert.
 
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