EASTON, Pa. – The Bellarmine lacrosse team erupted for a big fourth quarter to break open a tight game and secure a 10-4 non-conference win at Lafayette this afternoon. The Knights (7-6) were clinging to a 5-4 lead heading into the final period but scored five unanswered goals in the decisive last stanza.

Senior attack Adam Gardner (Toronto, Ontario) became the first Bellarmine player to top the century mark in career goals as he notched three today, giving him 101 in a Knight jersey. Midfielder Matthew Holland (Victoria, British Columbia) notched two goals and a pair of assists, while Shane Andersen (Denver, Colo.) added two goals and assisted on another to lead Bellarmine's offense.

The Knights killed four first quarter penalties and managed to build up a 4-1 lead midway through the second quarter this afternoon. Gardner's second goal of the game with 4:50 left in the first half gave Bellarmine a three-goal cushion.

The Leopards (4-9) countered, however, by notching a pair of goals in the final 3:10 of the first half to draw within one, 4-3, at the break.

In the second half, Lafayette was called for a penalty midway through the third period and Holland took advantage, notching a man-up goal to give his team a 5-3 edge. Lafayette would answer with a Tom Perini goal late in the third to again pull within one.

Bellarmine's defense then shutout Lafayette in the fourth quarter. Faceoff man Bobby Snider (Calgary, Alberta) got the Knights off to a great start in that last stanza, winning the period-opening draw and taking it all the way in for a score, making it 6-4. Gardner, Anderson, and Holland, as well as Chase Williams (Vancouver, British Columbia), would all add insurance tallies over the game's final seven minutes.

The Knights won 13-of-18 faceoffs, and killed all eight of their penalties. Freshman Scott Bowles (Greensboro, N.C.) spent the entire game between the pipes, saving nine shots.

Bellarmine now wraps up the regular season with a key road game at Quinnipiac next weekend. The Knights must not only win against the Bobcats, but create a significant goal differential, if they are to qualify for the inaugural Great Western Lacrosse League playoffs.

2008-04-20