HIGH POINT, N.C.—The Bellarmine Knights lacrosse team started strong, but the host High Point Panthers took control in the second quarter and rolled to a 15-4 victory on Saturday afternoon in Vert Stadium.
 
The first quarter saw nearly all of the Knights' offensive production as the teams traded goals the first five scores.
 
Bellarmine struck first on Brennan McDermott's first career goal less than four minutes into the contest.  The Panthers answered on the first of five goals by Brayden Mayea, but BU's Benny O'Rourk gave the lead back to the visitors on a goal at the 9:40 mark.  High Point pulled even 70 seconds later before Kyle Playsted scored to give the Knights their last lead at 3-2 with 7:36 remaining in the first.
 
From that point on, the host Panthers dominated.  HPU, the defending champion and 2022 preseason favorite of the Southern Conference, scored the final two goals of the first quarter, then enjoyed a 6-0 run in the second period.
 
The second half didn't improve much for the Knights as Benjamin Hubbs recorded BU's only goal of the second half with 2:25 remaining in the third.  The Panthers scored twice in the third and three times in the fourth to make the final 15-4.
 
As the score would indicate, High Point held clear advantages in virtually all statistics, outshooting the Knights 57-24 including 30-13 on goal.  Bellarmine struggled in the clearing game as well, going just 16 of 25 for the game.
 
All-American Asher Nolting led the HPU attack, dishing out five assists and scoring a goal with Mayea adding five goals for the Panthers
 
The Knights fall to 1-7 on the year while HPU evens its record at 3-3.
 
Bellarmine returns home to face Jacksonville on Saturday, March 12.  Game time is noon.
 
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