LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine Knights became the first team to score against the Saint Francis Red Flash in three games this season, but BU's one goal came up short as the visitors left Owsley B. Frazier Stadium with a 3-1 victory in today's nonconference match.
All three of Bellarmine's 2023 field hockey games have ended in a 3-1 score. After opening with a win against Saint Louis, the Knights dropped back-to-back games to Northeastern and Saint Francis by the 3-1 count.
Todays' contest opened with an even opening quarter with most of the action occurring in the midfield, but the Red Flash got the offense revved up in the second quarter, scoring all three goals in a span of just 10 minutes.
The Knights, meanwhile, couldn't take advantage of multiple opportunities until
Anna Crump deposited her first goal of the season after passing back and forth with
Bente Moormann during a fourth quarter penalty corner.
Bellarmine kept up the pressure in the final period, owning a 6-1 shot advantage, but couldn't find the back of the cage again.
For the game, the Knights eked out statistical advantages in both shots (14-12) and penalty corners (12-11). However, SFU goalkeeper Chloe South kept her season's clean sheet alive as Bellarmine's goal came against backup goalie Chloe DiGenova.
"It's always a tough loss when you feel like there were opportunities that we, as a team, could have executed better," said Bellarmine Coach
Devanny Boisvert. "A few breakdowns defensively cost us some goals along with giving up too many corners. The second quarter was definitely not our best showing," she added, "but we can learn from those breakdowns."
On the positive side, Boisvert said," I am proud of the group for rallying in the fourth quarter and still fighting until the end. Anna's been getting a lot of shots on goal with the attacking corner plays, so I was happy to see one go in for her."
The Knights are back in action on Sunday when they'll return to Trager Stadium to host the Towson Tigers at noon.
For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow BUKnights on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.