LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Bellarmine University lacrosse team pulled away from the visiting Keydets of Virginia Military Institute to notch a 13-8 victory in a Southern Conference game at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium today. The Keydets were the early aggressor and scored the game's first two goals, and held a 4-2 advantage when the Knights scored three unanswered to take their first lead of the game at 5-4 with 12:32 in the second quarter. However, VMI responded with two straight scores to take a 6-5 lead at halfmine. Bellarmine wasted little time after the intermission, knotting the score at 6-6 just a minute into the third period. Over the next 9:18, the teams each tallied two goals to tie the score at eight apiece with less than five minutes remaining in the third period. Then, Bellarmine simply shut down VMI over the final 19:42 allowing the Keydets just four shots over that time span as the Knights rolled to a victory by scoring the last five goals. Bellarmine's Tucker Ciessau recorded a hat trick and dished out two assists to lead the Knights' attack. Ian Miller added a pair of goals and a pair of assists with Morgan Macko and Jack Perkins also chipping in two goals apiece. Cole Wolfson tallied his first goal of the season for the Knights with Stephen Votto, Brian Wall and Tanner Barco also contributing a goal. Hunter Duford recorded a hat trick for the Keydets, scoring all three of his goals in the first quarter. Finals statistics showed a close game, with VMI holding a 33-32 advantage in shots. Bellarmine put 20 of its shots on frame while the Keydets were on target for only 18 of their shots. Bellarmine goalie Max Cartor recorded 10 saves on the day compared to just seven for his counterpart Joe Riccadonna. The Knights improve to 2-6 overall and even their SoCon record at 1-1. The Keydets fall to 1-6, 0-3 in league play.