LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After almost three hours of lightning delays, the Bellarmine lacrosse team finally finished off a 9-5 win over St. Bonaventure Saturday afternoon in a saturated Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

"This was the longest game I've been a part of and I give our kids a lot of credit of staying the course in some really difficult circumstances," said Bellarmine head coach Andrew Whitley. "We responded very well to both extended delays. It's not easy to stay focused for nearly 4-and-a-half hours, but we just kept sticking to the plan and things eventually broke our way."
 
"We continue to improve in our situational decision making and that is going to serve us well in conference play when most games are decided by who executes better in the fourth quarter," he added.
 
ASUN Player of the Year candidate John Alie once again led the Knights with five points as he tallied two goals and three assists in the low-scoring affair. Younger brother Joe Alie added three goals while Ezra Moore and Michael Blaymires also added two apiece to round out Bellarmine's scoring. Moore also added two assists.
 
"Our attack continues to produce and I was particularly pleased with the improved game flow management from John, Joe and Ezra," said Whitley. "It's challenging to make good decisions under duress in chaotic circumstances and those three and definitely making progress."
 
Nolan Hudnut made a strong imprint on the game, stopping 16 of the Bonnies' 21 shots on goal for a .762 save percentage. 
 
"Nolan is playing beyond his years right now and is such a steadying force in the goal," Whitley said of his freshman keeper. "The defense plays with such confidence because he has the ability to cover up mistakes and makes the saves we design the defense to give up. He also has a poise the allows the guys in front of him to play with confidence."
 
The Knights held an early 2-1 advantage after a goal by Moore off a falling, behind-the-back pass from Leo Prosser and a connection between the Alie brothers, with John feeding Joe from behind X for a score. SBU, however, cashed in the final two scores of the period to lead 3-2 after one.
 
After surrendering two more goals to start the second quarter to put themselves in a 5-2 hole, the Knights went on a 4-0 scoring run to close the half with a 6-5 lead. The rally was capped by Blaymires' go-ahead score with 21 seconds left off the feed from Moore.
 
After halftime led into the first lightning delay, play resumed with the third quarter as the Knights extended their lead to 8-5 on scores by Blaymires and John Alie.
 
The teams played 2 minutes and 11 seconds into the fourth quarter until the game was delayed once again due to lightning for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
 
Upon resumption in a lightning-less downpour, Joe Alie added his third goal—each having been assisted by John Alie—for his fourth hat trick of the season. That score brought the game to its final 9-5 tally as the Knights held the Bonnies scoreless for the final 43 minutes and 39 seconds.
 
"Today was a total defensive unit effort and I want to give a real tip of the cap tonight short sticks," said Whitley. "Brennan McDermott, Alex Coco, John Imperato, Jaden Wilkins, Ryan Curry and Kellen Marks have made tremendous strides in the last couple of weeks and are becoming a real asset to the unit."
 
"Christopher Reynolds played like the All-Conference defender he is and led the poles with some key plays throughout the day," Whitely added.
 
The nine goals for the Knights were their lowest output at home this season after entering averaging 17.3 goals per game at Frazier as SBU runs their attack at a much slower pace that the Knights' previous opponents.
 
The Knights won despite finishing slightly behind in both the ground ball battle (27-25) and only winning 8 of 17 faceoffs.
 
Conor Murphy paced the Bonnies with a pair of goals and one assist for a team-high three points. Keeper Isaac Farmer finished with 14 saves.
 
Bellarmine now has two weeks until they open ASUN conference play with Utah on Saturday, March 29 at Frazier Stadium. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET.
 
"We're in a really good spot right now heading into conference play," Whitley concluded. "We're playing better and better lacrosse each game and are coming into our own and finding our identity. We will benefit from the off week next week and I think we'll be recharged and ready to go when Utah comes to town in a couple of weeks."
 
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