LOUSIVILLE, Kentucky - The Cleveland State lacrosse team fell in its matinee match to Bellarmine on Saturday afternoon 11-4. The Vikings, who took the first contest of the season against the Knights, have now split the two-game season series, 1-1.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Really good learning experience for us heading to next year as this was the first time we ever played the same opponent twice in a season. We took game one and they made the proper adjustments and took game two and that's on me. Hats off to them. Their pressure was relentless and they really made it difficult for us to get comfortable in all phases of the game. One last home game for our seniors next week so we need to regroup quickly and get ready for another future conference foe. We'll be ready." - Head Coach Andy German
THE GAME
Bellarmine tallied the first two scores of Saturday's contest, before Zach Whitenack found the back of the net for the Vikings with 8:55 left to play in the opening quarter. Jason Sullivan assisted Whitenack for his second goal of the season.
After 15 minutes, Bellarmine held a slim 3-1 advantage.
Much like the first quarter, the Knights scored the first two goals of the second frame. This time it was Tristan Hanna for the Green and White who scored, assisted by Gabe Reno. The goal marked Hanna's sixth score of the season.
Heading into intermission of Saturday's tilt, the Vikes found themselves in a two-score, 4-2, hole.
James Whiteford of the home team opened the second half with a goal at the 13:00 mark, before Tristan Hanna tallied his second goal of the day, assisted by Ian McKissick. Bellarmine tacked on two more goals to extend its lead, 7-2, with 4:13 on the clock. Less than a minute later, Noah Gleeson rocketed a score for the Green and White, to bring Cleveland State to within three goals, 7-4. The goal, assisted by Matt Manfredi, was Gleeson's first score of the season. Bellarmine added one more score with just over 90 seconds left to play, to close out the third quarter on top 8-4.
Cleveland State wouldn't be able to score the rest of the way, as Bellarmine tallied three more goals in the final frame to earn an 11-4 victory over the Vikes.
Kevin Sobey recorded five saves, compared to JC Higginbotham's three rejections.
UP NEXT
The Vikings will be back at the friendly confines of the Krenzler Bubble on Saturday, April 24, for the final time this season as Utah will come to Cleveland for a 12 p.m. face off. Saturday's contest will be streamed on an ESPN streaming platform.
