Bellarmine Falls to No. 6 Maryland 11-6 in Opener February 17, 2007, COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Bellarmine men’s lacrosse team got out to a quick start in their 2007 season opener against No. 6 Maryland today. The Knights held a brief first period lead, but ultimately lost 11-6 today in their second consecutive season-opener against at top 10 program. Last year, Bellarmine (0-1) lost their opener at No. 1 Duke, 16-1.

The Terrapins (1-0), who advanced to last year’s NCAA final four, recovered from an early 2-1 deficit by reeling off five consecutive goals, while holding Bellarmine scoreless for the second period to take a 6-2 lead into halftime. Maryland held at least a three goal margin throughout the second half.

Senior midfielder Bryan Brown (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) led Bellarmine with a pair of goals, including a score with 6:46 left in the first period which gave the Knights their only lead of the game. Maryland’s Jeremy Sieverts scored the equalizer a minute later before both teams went on a 13-minute scoring drought.

Maryland scored three in the second period and a quick goal to start the third before Bellarmine’s top returning scorer, Adam Garnder (Toronto, Ontario) deposited a Ray Finnegan (Dublin, Ohio) pass with 11:47 left in the third.

Maryland scored just seconds later, before Bellarmine freshman Dylan MacDougal (Oakville, Ontario) notched his first collegiate goal with 10:22 remaining in the third stanza to make it 7-4. Any hope of a Bellarmine rally was quickly dampened by a pair of costly penalties, though. Maryland capitalized by scoring two man-up goals to end the third period with a comfortable 9-4 lead.

Brown tallied his second score early in the fourth and junior John Kirk (Massapequa Park, N.Y.), who was making his return after missing last season with a knee injury, collected a power play goal midway through the final period, making it 9-6. Maryland scored the game’s final two goals to preserve the win.

Brown and Finnegan, who scored Bellarmine’s first goal of the season early in the contest, paced Bellarmine with two points each.

Bellarmine senior goalkeeper J.C. Hutchins (Westminster, Md.), making his first trip to his home state for the Knights, recorded 14 saves as Bellarmine was out shot, 45-19. Bellarmine killed 5 of 8 penalties and won 9 of 21 face-offs.

Justin Norbraten (Prince George, B.C.) and Adam Lukenchoff (Niagara on the Lake, Ontario) each scooped up a team-high three ground balls.

Bellarmine returns to action next Saturday in the home opener against St. John’s University. That contest will be played at 1:00 pm at Trinity High School.

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