Knights Erase Six Goal Deficit and Post 14-13 Win over Dolphins

courtesy of Bellarmine Athletics

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-The Bellarmine Knights lacrosse team erased a third quarter 6-goal deficit and won 14-13 as senior Jarrett Davis found the back of the net late in the fourth quarter to earn the NCAA Division I non-conference victory over the Jacksonville Dolphins.

"It was a great win," said Bellarmine Coach Jack McGetrick. "They (the Bellarmine players) really dug in there in the second half." He also came away from the game with a lot of respect for Jacksonville. "For a first year program, they're incredible," McGetrick said.  "They'll get a few wins this year."

The first quarter saw the team basically trade goals with the Knights holding a 4-3 advantage when the horn ended the opening period.  Then, the Bellarmine defense was blitzed by six second quarter Jacksonville goals, while the Knights failed to find the back of the net, and the Dolphins went to the intermission with a 9-4 lead.

"I don't know what we did in the second quarter," McGetrick said, "but (Jacksonville) just went on a string of goals.  I'm one of these coaches that doesn't like to get negative, so I told them at halftime we just really needed to buckle down."

Coming back onto the field for the second half, the Knights may have been thinking "buckle down," but were met, instead, with another stiff challenge as the Dolphins opened the second half by scoring off the faceoff to go ahead 10-4 just seven seconds into the third quarter.

After the initial shock, Bellarmine did buckle down and controlled the third period by reeling off the next five goals to get within one on Sean Doyle's third goal of the game at the 6:51 mark of the third.   The Dolphins answered at the 3:30 mark and led 11-9 heading into the fourth quarter.

Again Bellarmine and Jacksonville traded goals before Bellarmine scored three unanswered to finally wrest the lead away from the home team at 13-12 with 5:49 left in the game.  The Dolphins, however, pulled even as Cameron Mann scored a man up goal at the 3:48 mark.

Davis was able to end the game's scoring and secure the win for the Knights as he converted a pass from Shane Andersen with 2:24 remaining.

Offensively, Doyle led the way for the Knights with four goals and Andersen had three goals and two assists.  

Senior Scott Bowles registered nine saves and picked up the win in goal after relieving freshman Dillon Ward in the second half.  

Bellarmine, which ran its record to 2-0 on the young season, opens at home next Saturday as they host the Maryland Terrapins at noon.  Maryland was ranked No. 7 in the preseason poll.