LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Just as they did last week, the Bellarmine Knights will be looking to avenge a close loss from last year when they visit Buffalo, New York to take on the Canisius Golden Griffins on Saturday at noon.
 
Last week, Bellarmine avenged a 2022 setback by knocking off St. Bonaventure 14-10 behind five-point performances by Benny O'Rourk and Christian Della Rocco. 
 
Last year, Canisius came into Owsley B. Frazier Stadium and scored the game's final two goals to take home a 13-11 victory in the teams' first-ever meeting.
 
Bellarmine (1-1) is being led this season by O'Rourk, who was selected by the ASUN coaches for the preseason All-Conference team. The senior midfielder has tallied six goal and two assists on the season.  In last week's game, he also had a strong defensive presence in the Bellarmine ride, causing four turnovers and scooping up four ground balls.
 
The Knights are also getting strong offensive production from junior Kyle Playsted with five goals and two assists over BU's first two games.  With nearly two full seasons remaining, he's already well-established in the Bellarmine record book, ranking tied for sixth in career points with 89, and he's fifth all-time in assists, needing just three to become the program record-holder.
 
Defensively, the Knights are anchored by preseason all-conference defenseman Brady Long and goalie JC Higginbotham, who was named the ASUN Defensive Player of the Week after notching 22 saves against No. 7 Duke.  In addition, long poles Nicholas Sheremetta and Jacob Berggren have three caused turnovers apiece on the young season, and short stick defensive midfielder Denton MacDonald has four CTs and has chipped in with a goal this season.
 
Canisius (0-1) opened its 2023 season with a 14-20 loss to Hobart last week.  In that game, freshman Kevin Carney made a strong collegiate debut with four goals while Colin Kelly, the Griffs' top scorer last season, added a hat trick to pace the offense.
 
On the defensive end, Canisius started Tommy Kunz in goal, and the sophomore came up with 16 stops against Hobart.  The Griffs also welcome back Chance Cook to the "D-line," after he led the team in caused turnovers in 2022 with 12.
 
For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).