MACON, Ga.—The Bellarmine Knights lacrosse team opened the 2022 season on the road today, falling 9-4 to the host Mercer Bears in Five Star Stadium.
 
The game, which was the first in college lacrosse this season, saw each team go on scoring runs in the first half before Mercer took control of the game with a big third quarter.
 
The Bears opened the game's scoring less than 30 seconds into the action with Sean Goldsmith finding the back of the net.  While neither team scored for the next 12 minutes, Mercer scored twice inside the last two minutes of the opening quarter to take a 3-0 lead after one period.
 
Bellarmine finally broke through in the second quarter.  First, it was Denton Macdonald notching his first collegiate goal off an assist from Christian Della Rocco, and moments later Brayden Brown pulled the Knights to within one with Della Rocco again providing the helper. 
 
Benny O'Rourk evened the game with his goal at the 2:59 mark, but Mercer reclaimed the lead with less than a minute remaining in the half and went into the intermission with a 4-3 advantage.
 
The Bears then came out and dominated the third period, putting the game away with a 5-0 run in the quarter.  Knights freshman Justin Wescoat finally broke a 26-minute scoring drought for Bellarmine with a goal at the 6:19 mark of the fourth quarter on an assist from Patrick Keegan, and that goal was the lone score of the period.
 
"We have a lot of young guys who got their first taste of college lacrosse against a team that very clearly had us circled on their calendar," said Bellarmine Coach Andrew Whitley. "We had too many turnovers in critical situations, and we have to correct that."
 
"This is obviously a disappointing outcome, but it is a jumping off point for the 2022 season, and I have no doubt we'll respond appropriately," Whitley added.
 
Despite the discrepancy on the scoreboard, the Knights and Bears were nearly even on shots with Mercer taking one more than Bellarmine (29-28). However, the Bears owned the faceoff dot, winning 14 of the 17 draws on the day. As a result, Mercer won the ground ball battle 23-10. The Bears held a 19-17 edge in turnovers while Bellarmine goalie JC Higginbotham recorded seven saves with Mercer's Collin Kelley stopping six shots.
 
Bellarmine's Jon Robbins, the ASUN Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, put up good numbers for the Knights, tying his own (and five others') school record with five caused turnovers and a pair of ground balls.  The five CTs give him 73 for his career, which breaks the school record of 69 set by All-American Eric Rubak.

"JR (Jon Robbis) is a PLL-level talent who continues to produce at an elite level," Whitley said. "I'm really happy for him, and it's just an indication of how high a level he continues to compete at. He's been the hear and sould of our program since I've been at Bellarmine."
 
The Knights return to action on Saturday at Michigan.  Bellarmine and the Wolverines are scheduled to play at 1 p.m. (If weather forces the game to be played indoors, the game time will be adjusted to 3 p.m.)
 
"Ultimately we have another chance to get better next week against Michigan," Whitley said. "I still really believe in the potential of this team and am excited for what we can become."
 
For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).