LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – For the third straight game to start the season, the Bellarmine University field hockey team and their opponent were tied at a goal apiece at the end of regulation. Unlike the first two games, however, the Knights' tilt at Rider (2-1) would need a second overtime for a victor to be declared.
 
Anna Crump sent in her second goal of the contest just under three minutes into the second overtime to give Bellarmine (2-1) their second straight win. The fifth-year senior hauled in a long pass from midfielder Bente Moormann on a fast break and fired a shot taken while diving forward and working the ball around the left side of Rider's oncoming keeper, Jade Regnart. The South Oldham product got just enough on her shot to roll the ball into the back of the cage.
 
"Wow — what a gritty win for the Knights! Both teams fought hard, and we couldn't be prouder of our squad," said Bellarmine head coach Devanny Boisvert.
 
The effort by Crump resulted in her fourth career multi-goal game, her first since the Knights defeated Queens 5-0 in 2022. She also tallied a pair of two-goal games as a sophomore in 2021.
 
Crump opened the scoring with 12:27 left in the second on a shot from a rebound off the leg pad of Regnart for her first goal of the season.
 
After Bellarmine led 1-0 at the half, Rider thought they evened the game early in the third quarter, but a potential goal was negated by a foul. Fifth-year senior forward Katie Wuerstle did, however, score the equalizer for the homestanding Broncs with just under four minutes left in the third quarter.
 
The Knights defense had to withstand a flurry of Rider penalty corners throughout the game. The Broncs held a 17-1 advantage on penalty corners, though Bellarmine was able to thwart all 17 attempts. The Knights did not get their first penalty corner until a minute into the first overtime.
 
"Our midfielders were outstanding, managing Rider's speed and consistently advancing the ball. Kailey was phenomenal with crucial saves, especially in overtime," said Boisvert.
 
Junior keeper Kailey Workman stopped nine of the Bronc's 10 shots on goal to raise her season save percentage to .862.
 
Included in the defensive effort was the Knights holding the reigning NEC Offensive Player of the Week, junior Megan Normile, scoreless after she scored four times over two games last weekend.
 
"The team's resilience and fitness shone through in the extra periods. Anna's determination was incredible — she gave everything to score the game-winning goal!" Boisvert concluded.
 
Bellarmine now heads further northeast to Long Island, N.Y. They will face the Sharks of Long Island University on the campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead on Sunday at 12 p.m. ET.
 
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