KENNESAW, Ga. — The Bellarmine University women's soccer team couldn't quite break the pattern against Kennesaw State.

On Saturday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, the North Division two-seed Owls scored with less than three minutes remaining in regulation time in capturing a 1-0 victory over North three-seed Bellarmine in the ASUN Championship quarterfinals.

It was the third time this season Kennesaw State (7-7) scored the eventual game-winning goal against Bellarmine (2-6-3) inside the last seven minutes. The Owls mounted some serious threats in the second half with a header off the post and another shot that whizzed just by the right post before Becky Contreras rammed in a header inside the near post off a corner kick from Kathryn Schreck in the 88th minute.

"I want to congratulate Kennesaw and wish them luck next weekend," Knights Coach Chris Tinius said. "They can put you under so much pressure. We dodged a lot of bullets, but it's so hard dealing with them for 90 minutes and it wore on us at the end again."

Bellarmine limited Kennesaw State to one shot in the first half — Knights junior goalkeeper Elyssa Francis made a diving stop of a header off a corner kick — but the Owls amassed 11 shots in the second stanza.

Bellarmine's trademark team defense translated well to the Division I level, providing the Knights the opportunity to secure a positive result in practically every game. Bellarmine lost only once by more than one goal — way back in its season opener — and the Knights yielded more than one goal on just three occasions in 11 matches. It took exceptional execution by KSU on a set piece to knock off BU in the conference tournament.

"I told the girls it's sad because it's over, but the atmosphere wasn't as sad as it could have been," Tinius said. "That's because we went down being who we were all year. It's not like we lost a game by doing something out of character. We committed to things we've committed to all year — it just wasn't enough. That happens sometimes."

Bellarmine finished with six shots, three in each half, with two coming on frame.

Tinius has frequently mentioned this season that this Bellarmine team was the ideal group of Knights to lead the program into D1.

"This is a very special team," he said. "Whatever this program looks like in five, 10, 20 years will be built on this foundation. At the core of that was a fantastic group of seniors, and we want to thank them for everything they have poured into this program.

"I would also be remiss If I didn't congratulate our kids on all they have dealt with to even make this season possible. We had some people in and out during the fall, but we didn't have a complete shutdown all year. This spring we played 13 games, including exhibitions — that means 325 chances for people to be eligible to play. We were 324 for 325, and that one was because of an exposure, not a positive test. That type of sacrifice and discipline showed up in our product on the field too.

"Thank you to all of our coaches, administrators and campus support staff that worked so hard to make winter and spring seasons happen for every sport. Finally, thank you to the fans and families that supported us all year. We appreciate everything."

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).