EAST LANSING, Mich. – Coming off its first win, Bellarmine field hockey challenged Big Ten foe Michigan State, but the Spartans pulled away late for a 3-1 victory on Sunday afternoon.
 
Starting fast has been a common theme for the Knights – for the third consecutive game, they scored first. 

"Our schedule this year is challenging, but I know this group is capable of competing at a high level — we saw that today," Knights Head Coach Devanny Boisvert said.  "I was happy to see us get on the board first and produce a solid amount of offensive opportunities."
 
Starting with a penalty corner eight minutes into the match, Julia Doornebos stepped just inside the circle, crouched low and swept a shot into the cage from deep to give Bellarmine a 1-0 advantage.  It was Doornebos' second goal of the season, while Peyton Hobson nabbed her second assist in as many games.
 
Bellarmine held on to its 1-0 lead until the very end of the first half, when Michigan State scored at the second quarter buzzer.  Isa van der Weij sent in the tying goal as time expired and evened the score 1-1 going into the break.
 
With the game still deadlocked 10 minutes into the third quarter, the Spartans took advantage of a key swing.  Bellarmine had three consecutive penalty corners, but Michigan State came away unscathed and cashed in with a breakaway Lulu Fulton goal twenty seconds later. 
 
Leading 2-1, Michigan State kept the pressure on and scored again less than a minute later to stretch its advantage to 3-1. 
 
The Spartans out-shot Bellarmine 21-13 (15-5 SOG), but Bellarmine stayed even with MSU in the second half with eight shots each.  Michigan State had 11 penalty corners for the match, eight of which came in the second quarter, while BU totaled eight corners.
 
Amber Hofenk Jerembo led Bellarmine with five shots, while Anna Crump and Doornebos each had three.
 
Danni Swallow got the start in goal for Bellarmine, and played the first three quarters.  Swallow made a career-high nine saves.  Kailey Workman played the final quarter and collected three saves. 

"Our focus today was on our press with individual responsibilities, and we executed it perfectly," Boisvert added.  "Our corner plays continue to impress me as we scored all four goals this weekend on corners. We need to execute on some fast breaks and free hits in our A25, plus be a little more composed on our opponent's fast breaks. Overall, it was a solid weekend of Bellarmine field hockey, and we hope to continue that momentum going into next weekend."

Next up for the Knights, they return home on Friday for a matchup with Miami Ohio.  Action begins at 2:00 p.m. and can be viewed on BU Knights Sports Network.

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