LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women's soccer team will conclude the home portion of its nonconference slate when the Knights host Chicago State at 11 a.m. (ET) Thursday.

Bellarmine (1-0-5) will then round out its non-ASUN contests Sunday when the Knights travel to Lexington to take on Kentucky.

LAST TIME OUT
Bellarmine posted a 2-0 win Sunday at Southern Illinois, marking not only the Knights' first win of the season but also their first non-draw.

Bellarmine had opened the season with an astonishing five straight ties, which surely vied for the most unique unbeaten streak in the country. The Knights' unbeaten streak remained intact against SIU but came attached with a "W."

Senior midfielder Sarah Buse scored the game-winner, and Bellarmine's defense racked up its third straight shutout.

"It obviously felt good to get a win after what we had been through, but honestly it didn't feel as good as it should have because we simply didn't play as well," Knights Coach Chris Tinius said. "I think that's a good thing, though, that we can feel what it's like to win and still not be satisfied. There were a lot of lessons, the main one being that we didn't have to play better, we just had to find a group that was more committed in certain moments. We made plenty of mistakes but we picked each other up at the right times and it made a difference."

ABOUT CHICAGO STATE
Chicago State (0-5-1) will enter Frazier Stadium seeking its first win of the season. The Cougars are coming off a 3-0 loss to Valparaiso but tied Purdue Fort Wayne 2-2 before that — Bellarmine also deadlocked with PFW, with that score being 1-1.

Sara Quevedo has scored two of the team's four goals.

"Chicago State has struggled for results, but their product looks improved," Tinius said. "They've got some skillful players that will test you 1v1 and some international players with a high soccer IQ to take advantage of mistakes you make. The earlier start time on a day when we are in class will throw in a wrinkle as well. This could be a tricky one to manage, so we better be focused on the task at hand."

INSTANT IMPACT
Buse and fellow senior midfielder Regan Kommor arrived at Bellarmine this season as graduate transfers from UAB. The Louisville natives have fit in seamlessly with the Knights and took on key roles from the get-go.

Buse was just named ASUN Player of the Week after leading Bellarmine in the win over SIU. Both she and Kommor have started every game, and Kommor has tallied a goal and an assist with a team-high seven shots on goal.

"Sarah and Regan have been great for us," Tinius said. "They are good players, but they have made the effort to connect with everyone and not just show up and play soccer. Their experience of how to handle the grind, their daily approach, navigating certain moments, good and bad, are all hopefully things that our younger players are paying attention to." 

LOOK STRAIGHT, NOT AHEAD
It would be natural for the Knights to look forward to playing at Kentucky on Sunday — but not at the expense of focusing on the opponent directly in front of them.

Tinius said Chicago State better have the Knights' undivided attention.

"We've played six games and we've won one of them," he said. "We are coming off of a subpar performance that we weren't super proud of. Looking ahead to anything else would be absolutely foolish."

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