LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bellarmine field hockey came up short on Sunday, but the Knights went toe-to-toe with no. 24 Duke in a 3-1 loss at Trager Stadium.
 
In Bellarmine's first ever game against the Blue Devils, the game was tied 1-1 going deep into the third quarter.  A quick pair of Duke goals in the third period proved to be the difference, however, and the Knights dropped their second game in a row.
 
Despite a back-and-forth half with good strings of possession from Bellarmine, Duke made an early statement.  Just 39 seconds into the match, Logan Clouser raced into the circle and fired a high shot into the cage to give Duke a 1-0 lead.
 
Bellarmine settled in after that though and held Duke scoreless the remainder of the first period.  The Knights had a great chance to even the game with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter, but were unable to capitalize.  Amber Hofenk Jerembo located a ball that scooted away from Duke goalkeeper Grace Brightbill, but Hofenk Jerembo's shot was saved.
 
The next time Bellarmine had a good look at goal, the Knights converted.  With just under three minutes left in the half, Peyton Hobson tracked down a loose ball and sprinted ahead of two Duke defenders into the circle.  Hobson faded to her right as she approached goal and took a cross-goal shot that zoomed by Brightbill to tie the game 1-1.
 
The game remained tied until the 38-minute mark Duke's offense generated consistent bursts.  Josephine Palde pushed along the end line and found Josie Varney in front of goal for the go-ahead score.  Less than three minutes later, Brynn Crouse scored to give Duke a 3-1 advantage.   The Blue Devils held Bellarmine to one shot the final two quarters and left Louisville with a victory.
 
Duke out-shot Bellarmine 22-6 for the game (13-3 SOG).  Remarkably, neither team generated a penalty corner in the first half, and Bellarmine held Duke to just three over the entire match. 
 
Danni Swallow played the first three quarters in goal for Bellarmine and made six saves.  Kailey Workman recorded three saves in the final quarter, while Grace Dukes tallied her team-best seventh defensive save of the year. 
 
The Knights wrap up their 2022 home slate next weekend.  Bellarmine hosts Ohio on Friday and Ohio State on Sunday.  Both contests will begin at 1:00 p.m., while Sunday's game will serve as Bellarmine's Senior Day.

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