JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — There was bad news followed by great news Thursday night for the Bellarmine University women's soccer team.

While Bellarmine fell 2-0 to North Florida in Atlantic Sun Conference play at Hodges Stadium, the Knights clinched a berth in the ASUN Tournament after a pair of other outcomes in league action landed in their favor.

The ASUN consists of 12 teams and eight qualify for the conference tournament. With three games left, Bellarmine had accrued 13 points heading into Thursday. North Alabama and West Georgia already couldn't catch the Knights. Bellarmine then clinched its spot when Central Arkansas defeated Stetson 2-0 and Queens tied 1-1 with Austin Peay, which meant neither the Hatters nor Royals could chase down BU either.

In Callie McKinney's first season as head coach, Bellarmine will be headed to the ASUN Tournament for the first time since 2021.

The Knights had that to celebrate Thursday after suffering disappointment against North Florida (7-3-7, 4-1-4 ASUN), which scored two first-half goals and played lockdown defense throughout the contest. Bella Pontieri located the net in the 20th minute and Jersi Dadah scored in the 40th minute.

Bellarmine (5-9-2, 4-4-1) had scored in its last six ASUN games, but the Knights were held without a shot by the Ospreys. UNF finished with a 10-0 advantage in shots, including 4-0 on frame.

Bellarmine will continue ASUN play at 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday at Jacksonville.

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