LEXINGTON, Va. — The Bellarmine Knights got back in the win column on Saturday afternoon as they defeated the VMI Keydets in a Southern Conference meeting 11-9.

Saturday's contest was the second between the Knights and Keydets this season. Bellarmine also won the first contest and holds a 12-0 record all-time against the Keydets.

Luke Legnard and Benny O'Rourk scored the first two goals of the contest to put Bellarmine ahead early and help the Knights take a 3-1 lead at the end of the first. The Knights added to their lead and went into the half with a 5-3 advantage.

VMI started the third quarter with a three-goal run to take their first lead of the contest. O'Rourk scored the lone Bellarmine goal in the third to stop the bleeding and get his second of the day. However, VMI was able to answer and stayed ahead 7-6 heading into the fourth.

Bellarmine gained some momentum right out of the gates in the fourth quarter when JC Higginbotham scored a rare goal by goalie to tie things up at 7. 

"Teams have been challenging us in the clearing game all season, and we've been working on shooting the ball from our defensive half as one of the ways to break the ride and today he (Higginbotham) hit it," Bellarmine Coach Andy Whitley said. "It energized our team and even though we didn't secure the lead for good until late in the 4th, that goal propelled us without question."  It was just the second time in program history a Bellarmine goalie has notched a goal.  All-American Dillon Ward also accomplished the feat against Michigan in 2012.

Kyle Playsted kept the positive momentum going for the Knights following with a goal of his own to put the Knights back in front 8-7. Despite VMI answering with a two-goal run and taking back the lead, Bellarmine ended the contest with a three-goal run to secure the win.

"We have been in tight fourth quarter games all season and to pull out a road conference game when we've lost the lead in the fourth quarter is a credit to the guys digging in and believing in each other," Whitley said.

O'Rourk led the Knights' offense with two goals and an assist while Patrick Keegan also added two goals.

Higginbotham recorded 14 saves to anchor the Bellarmine defense. Eric Rubak had three ground balls and three caused turnovers while Jon Robbins had two ground balls and three caused turnovers.

With today's work, Robbins and Rubak move into a tie for first on Bellarmine's all-time caused turnovers list with 62.  Additionally, Robbins broke the school record for most caused turnovers in a single season as he now has 29 on the year. 

Michael Santos led the Keydets with two goals and an assist while Tim Lindenbaum had two goals and Jon Fant had four assists.

Bryce Basic went 10-for-17 at the faceoff dot and Billy Osteen made nine saves in cage for VMI.

Bellarmine (3-9, 1-3 SoCon) will be back in action at home next week for a non-conference outing against Cleveland State.