LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University men's soccer team could have opted to try to wait it out Saturday night at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

Instead, the Knights seized the opportunity to end it.

Requiring only a draw to lock up the North Division's top seed in the ASUN Championship, Bellarmine decided to go with Option 1 — a victory — as freshman forward Nolan McGrath scored with less than two minutes left in the second overtime to set off a raucous celebration as the Knights triumphed 2-1 over Lipscomb.

In doing so, Bellarmine (4-3, 3-1 ASUN) sewed up the North's No. 1 seed and subsequent bye in the conference tournament quarterfinals, an incredible accomplishment in the program's first season in Division I.

"We thought we would be extremely competitive, but I do think that the guys have probably exceeded expectations in regards to finishing first with the type of teams that are in the North (Division)," Knights Coach Tim Chastonay said. "Liberty and Lipscomb's RPIs are really high, and they are quality programs. When I say I think we've exceeded expectations, that's from a coaching standpoint. I don't think the kids feel like that, though. I think the kids felt they were right there with them, and they're deserving of where they're at."

A victory by Lipscomb (5-4-2, 1-2-1) in the regular-season finale would have landed the Bisons the North's top seed in the ASUN Championship. Needing a goal in the extra sessions, Lipscomb sent waves of players forward, but that left the Bisons vulnerable to a counterattack.

Deep in the second overtime, senior defender Jonas Skulstad made a superb lead pass down the left side to senior midfielder Greg Fischer, who made an equally splendid cross to McGrath. From the right side of the box, the freshman laced a shot from 10 yards inside the far post, a memorable first collegiate goal if there ever was one.

"We struggled all game in the attacking third finding that final pass or that shot on frame, but as (Lipscomb) was continuing to move players forward — because they had to get another goal — we knew we were going to get more and more opportunities if we could just find a good break and get good, quality touch on the ball and a good couple runs," Chastonay said. "And that's exactly what happened on the last one — we got a good ball down the line, Greg served a great ball into Nolan, who was making a good on-side run and just put the game away. We were waiting for one of those all game."

It came in the 109th minute, but ironically, Bellarmine's first goal came before the Knights broke much of a sweat. In the fifth minute, senior midfielder Micah Linscott redirected a corner kick from sophomore midfielder Andrew Minnis inside the near post for a quick 1-0 lead.

"We always say goals change games, and getting a goal in the first five minutes definitely changed the game and lifted us and really gave us that momentum," Chastonay said.

Lipscomb tied it up in the 40th minute after Bellarmine was called for a foul inside the box, and Louis Robinson was successful on the ensuing penalty kick.

"We kept momentum for 30 or so minutes, but when they got the penalty, our spirits seemed to go down," Chastonay said. "We talked at halftime about how we were right where we needed to be — if the game ended right then we were still the top seed — and why were we so down and not lifting ourselves? Everything we wanted to accomplish was still in front of us. I was proud of the way the guys came out in the second half."

The action never seemed to stop. Bellarmine finished with a 17-15 advantage in shots, but Lipscomb had a 6-4 edge in shots on goal, as BU junior goalkeeper Connor Range collected five saves. The Knights piled up 12 corner kicks, and the Bisons tallied six.

"Defensively, from top to bottom, we did a good job," Chastonay said. "In the second half especially, they knew they were going to be defending a lot, and Lipscomb was going to be changing shape and throwing numbers forward. They held tough and then made the most of their chance (to score)."

Adding to the impressiveness of the victory was that Bellarmine hadn't played since March 20, but turns out that was just what the doctor ordered.

"We got healed, we got healthy," Chastonay said, "and the guys were ready for the game today."

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