SAINT LOUIS, Mo. – The Bellarmine University field hockey team will begin their 2024 season with two games in St. Louis this weekend. The Knights first take on fellow Mid-American Conference member Central Michigan in a nonconference battle Saturday at 2 p.m. ET before taking on host Saint Louis Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
 
"The team is well-prepared and excited for opening weekend in St. Louis against Central Michigan and Saint Louis!" said Knights head coach Devanny Boisvert. "We have put in a lot of hard work during the preseason and the opportunity to fine-tune our skills and tactics through three preseason games has been very helpful."
 
For the Knights, it is fifth-year senior Anna Crump who will lead them into the opening weekend games at the brand-new SLU Field Hockey Complex. The midfielder is eighth all-time on the Knights' games started list with 63 and has a chance to become the program leader in both games played and starts by year's end. The South Oldham product led the Knights with six assists in 2023 and finished fourth on the team with 12 points.
 
Crump reflected on her time at Bellarmine ahead of her final season.
 
"My experience at BU has been truly unique," Crump said. "Starting my first year as part of the program's inaugural Division I season was challenging, but it motivated my teammates, the coaching staff and me to strive for more. Each year, we've continued to grow stronger, proving that we belong in Division I. I've been fortunate enough to not only witness the growth, but blessed enough to have the opportunity to contribute to it over the past five years."
 
BU and CMU are quite familiar foes. The Knights have tussled with the Chippewas five times, each in the past three-and-a-half calendar years since the Knights joined the MAC after making the jump to Division I in 2020. BU holds a 3-2 advantage in the series, having won three in row.
 
Bellarmine walked out of Trager Stadium last fall the victors, 3-2 in overtime on a golden goal by Teresa Schmidt. Crump scored less than six minutes into that contest, as well. The Knights unleashed a barrage of shots, outshooting CMU 17-6 (14-3 on goal).
 
The Chippewas would finish the 2023 season 1-16, 0-7 in the MAC.
 
BU opened last season at home against SLU, defeating the Billikens 3-1 despite falling short in the penalty corner tally, 8-5. It was the first of six games in which the Knights would hold their opponents to one or zero goals.
 
Saint Louis would go on to finish the season 3-13, 1-6 in the Atlantic 10. Despite the loss, the Billikens own a 10-2 advantage in the all-time series with the Knights. BU's only other triumph over SLU was a 4-3 overtime win in The Gateway City in 2009.
 
"Facing familiar opponents like CMU and SLU, who are known for being tough competitors, will push us to be our best this weekend!" Boisvert concluded. "Both teams have a solid returning group along with some talented newcomers. We are also excited to be playing on SLU's brand-new turf, which will make opening weekend even more special!"
 
Crump concluded by reiterating the team's main goal as Game 1 approaches.
 
"As I prepare to play my final year here, I'm excited for another opportunity to reach the MAC tournament—a goal we've been striving towards for years, but have just fallen short of achieving," Crump said. "This team may be young, but I'm optimistic about our potential. I see teammates stepping up to fill new roles and I believe we have a strong shot at making the MAC tournament this season."
 
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