Knights earn first ECAC victory by squeaking past Air Force 11-10

Courtesy of Bellarmine Athletics

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--In a game which featured six ties and four lead changes, the Bellarmine University lacrosse team had just enough offense to squeeze past ECAC opponent Air Force Sunday afternoon at Cadet Lacrosse Stadium. The Knights improve to 7-5 overall and 1-3 in the league while the loss drops the Falcons to 1-9 on the season and 0-3 in the ECAC.

Bellarmine took control early in the game, scoring three consecutive goals in the first four minutes—one by Derek Hopcroft and two by Sean Doyle. The Falcons broke through for a score midway through the opening period with an unassisted goal and crept to within one when long-stick midfielder Bryan Gilbreath scored during an unsettled clear attempt.

Air Force continued its scoring spurt in the second quarter registering three more goals to take a 5-3 lead with 9:31 remaining in the half.  A pair of scores by Bellarmine’s Hopcroft  tied the game at 5-5 before a late goal by Air Force gave the Falcons a 6-5 lead at the half.

The Knights scored a pair of man-up goals to open the third period to earn a 7-6 advantage. However, the Falcons responded with scores by Ridge Flick and Zack Carroll to regain the lead. Bellarmine scored a goal with under three minutes to play in the quarter to tie the score 8-8 going into the final stanza.

The Knights broke the tie in the first minute of the fourth quarter as Chase Williams put one between the pipes to reclaim the lead for Bellarmine.  The Falcons’ Flick tied the game at 9-9 with his third goal of the afternoon with 10:36 on the clock. However, the Knights’ Alex Porter scored his first goal of the season to put Bellarmine ahead with 8:13 to play, and Christian Schaefer scored to give Bellarmine an 11-9 lead.

A goal by Air Force’s Sandtorv with 1:46 on the clock brought the Falcons back within one, but the Knights were able to hang on for the 11-10 victory.

Doyle had another hat trick for the Knights, who were led in scoring by Williams as he added three assists to his goal to total four points on the afternoon.  Bellarmine freshman Dillon Ward was in goal in the second half and picked up the win as he registered eight saves in his 30 minutes of action.

Bellarmine returns to Owsley B. Frazier Stadium for its final home game of the season on Saturday as they face Hobart College in an ECAC duel.  Faceoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.