LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bellarmine field hockey team battled their first of two straight power conference opponents on Friday afternoon, fighting back in the second half before falling to Michigan State 4-2 in a rain-soaked contest.
 
The Spartans jumped out in front early in the Knights' 2024 home opener at Trager Stadium, netting the game's first goal inside the first minute and adding a second less than six minutes into the game. A third Spartans goal 20 seconds into the second quarter lifted them to a 3-0 halftime lead.
 
Though Michigan State dominated possession in the first half, Bellarmine was able to control the ball more consistently in the second half, leading to a pair of goals.
 
Freshman forward Brooke Buchanan netted her first career goal with 11:44 left in the third on a fast break off an assist by another freshman forward, Luna Tuncay, to break the seal for the Knights. Buchanan's goal cut the deficit to two at 3-1.
 
Michigan State, however, answered almost immediately with their fourth and final goal less than a minute later.
 
The Knights had just one penalty corner during the game, but were able to convert it into their second goal with 2:16 left in the third. Following an insert by freshman midfielder/forward Annie Malloy and an initial shot by senior midfielder Isabel Gladys, it was senior midfielder Bente Moormann slapping home her first goal of the season on a rebound off Michigan State's keeper. It was the third career goal for the Amsterdam native.
 
For the game, Michigan State outshot Bellarmine 15-4, 8-4 on goal. Four different Spartans accounted for their scores: Maddie Lawlor, Emma O'Neill, Ellie Rutherford and Carmen Pucheta.
 
The Knights are back in action on Wednesday, September 18 against another power conference opponent. This time it will be the ACC's Stanford visiting Trager Stadium. Game time is set for 3 p.m. ET and ESPN+ will have the live coverage.
 
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