BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Bellarmine attack John Alie has been the most prolific goal scorer in the ASUN so far this season, but on Saturday against Long Island he matched a school record with five assists. Despite the historic performance, the Knights (3-4) fell to the Sharks (4-1) by a 14-9 final.
 
One game after scoring five goals, John's younger brother, Joe Alie, scored four times and was assisted by his older brother on each score. John Alie's only other assist helped Justin Wescoat, who tallied his second hat trick of the season.
 
As many lacrosse games are, this one was a game of runs. After falling behind 3-0 with 9:25 left in the first, Bellarmine responded with five unanswered goals to hold a 5-3 lead after one. Included in the spurt was a man-down goal by John Imperato, just the Knights' second man-down score of the season, and a nifty goal from Joe Alie on a quick release right in front of the net after receiving the feed from behind the cage from older brother John.
 
Much like the Knights did in the first, however, the Sharks came roaring back in the second with seven unanswered goals to recapture and extend their lead to five at 10-5. In the second frame, the Sharks committed just three turnovers to the Knights' eight, won six of seven faceoffs and picked up 13 ground balls to the Knights' four. LIU was perfect on their eight clear chances and took advantage of two Bellarmine penalties, cashing in a pair of man-up goals to go into the break up 10-5.
 
The Knights finally ended their drought 45 seconds into the third when John Alie found Joe Alie for the second time. The duo would combine for two more goals in the third, one on a behind-the-back shot by Joe and another by Joe after a behind-the-back dish from John. Still, LIU matched the Alies' three scores in the frame and carrier a five-goal lead into the fourth at 13-8.
 
Wescoat's third goal was the Knights' lone score in the fourth as LIU added two more in the final two minutes to complete their 14-9 win.
 
On defense for Bellarmine, senior midfielder Brennan McDermott caused a career-high three turnovers despite entering the game with just five in his career. Keeper Nolan Hudnut recorded a career-high 18 saves and a career-best .545 save percentage as he faced a barrage of 51 Sharks shots.
 
For LIU, Drew Tongo tallied four goals and pair of assists as he matched the older Alie with a game-high six points. Owen Stefanko was right behind him with five points on two goals and three assists. Keeper Brayden Wilcken made 11 saves for a .550 save percentage.
 
Contributing to the gaudy output of the Sharks' attack were Bellarmine's 20 total turnovers. LIU committed just 11 and also won the ground ball battle 36-29. The Knights, though, won 14 of 27 faceoffs led by Grant Guthrie's 8-for-13 performance.
 
Bellarmine is on the road again Tuesday, March 4 at Marquette. Opening faceoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on FloCollege.
 
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