HAMPTON, Va. – Following a tough stretch of three games in seven days, the Bellarmine lacrosse team needed a get-right game. They got just that Tuesday afternoon as they pounded Hampton 23-7 at Armstrong Stadium.
 
"This was a good bounce-back win for us," said Bellarmine head coach Andy Whitley. "We worked on a bunch of offensive themes over the past few days and I was really happy we responded by playing the system and focusing on our process."
 
Four Knights scored multiple goals, led by Benny O'Rourk. The senior midfielder wasted no time extending his scoring streak to 29 consecutive games, scoring just 40 seconds into Tuesday's contest. He added Bellarmine's second goal of the game 67 seconds later and finished the afternoon with four goals and four assists. His eight points were the most by a Knight this season.
 
Knights' leading scorer John Alie also scored four goals to bring his season total to 14 while Kyle Playsted added three of goals and three assists. Playsted had just two assists on the season entering play Tuesday.
 
"Benny O'Rourk, Kyle Playsted and John Alie did a great job facilitating the offense and ended up on the finishing end a bunch this afternoon," said Whitley.
 
The Atlantic Sun's leading scorer from a year ago, Christian Della Rocco, saw his first action of the season and scored a goal. He was not, however, the only notable Knight to make his season debut.
 
"It was great to get some familiar faces back with Christian Della Rocco, Cole Messick and Max Coopman all getting their first action of the season," Whitley added. "Each responded with the contribution we have come to expect over the course of their careers and it's great to have them all back in the lineup."
 
The blowout score allowed Bellarmine to go deep into their bench. Four Knights netted their first career goals: Brandon Boyle (two goals), Luke Healy, Ryan Curry and Ryan Wyrick. Curry also recorded his first career assist.
 
It was not just a big day on offense for Bellarmine as the defense allowed a season-low seven goals.
 
"Our defense continues to be the backbone of our team and I give Coach Marks a ton of credit for the consistency that group has played with all year," Whitley added. "It's the fourth consecutive game we've allowed 10 or fewer goals and we're going to be tough to beat with that type of performance. There are a lot of new faces at that end of the field and they are playing at a very high level."
 
Additionally, the Knights again got strong play from senior goalie JC Higginbotham.
 
"JC Higginbotham deserves a tip of the cap as he continues to play with poise and discipline regardless of the situation," Whitley said.
 
Higginbotham recorded 14 saves on the afternoon and now has 562 in his Bellarmine career, 14 behind veteran Dillon Ward for the program's all-time lead.
 
The win sends Bellarmine to 3-0 all-time against Hampton. They have won the three games by a combined score of 67-15. The 23 goals by Bellarmine on Tuesday were on shy of the program record set in a 24-12 win over Queens on March 25 of last season.
 
The Knights return home for a Saturday contest against Marist at 12 p.m. ET. Tickets are $6 at the gate and ESPN+ will have the live coverage.
 
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