Bellarmine Kicks off 2010 with a 12-8 Win over Detroit-Mercy

Courtesy of Bellarmine Athletics

DETROIT - In the first NCAA Division I men's lacrosse game of the 2010 season, the Bellarmine University Knights pulled out a 12-8 win over the University of Detroit-Mercy.

Both teams came out hot, with three goals scored in the first 90 seconds.  With the Titans up 2-1, Chase Williams scored his second goal of the game off an assist from Jarrett Davis.  The teams traded goals for the remainder of the first period, with the Detroit taking a 5-4 lead into the second period. 

Bellarmine then took over with five goals in the second period, getting two goals apiece from Austin Bright and Derek Hopcroft, with Shane Andersen adding another. 

The dominating second period proved to be the difference in the game.  Detroit-Mercy cut the lead to one after a goal with 1:29 remaining in the third period, but Bellarmine responded with goals by Bright and Andersen. 

Both players finished the game with three goals.  Christian Schafer scored the other goal in the final period to ice the game. 

The Knights had 11 assists on their 12 goals, and outshot the Titans 34-29 for the game.  Each team committed 23 turnovers, while Bellarmine won 16 of 24 faceoffs.

Bellarmine returns to action next Saturday with a game at Jacksonville University.  The Knights open up the home season on February 20, with a noon contest against the University of Maryland.