MLAX hosts Bellarmine on Saturday

Game Notes (PDF)

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette University men's lacrosse plays its first home game in over a month when the squad welcomes Bellarmine to Valley Fields on Saturday afternoon.

First faceoff is set for noon Central time at the dome at Valley Fields and a live broadcast is available on FloSports with Matt Menzl and Eric Simon on the call.

Due to limited capacity when playing indoors, the game is sold out pending any team hold releases. Fans can check in with the Marquette Ticket Office for more information at (414) 288-GOMU (4668).

MARQUETTE (3-2, 0-0 BIG EAST): The Golden Eagles defeated Detroit Mercy, 10-5, on March 2 to conclude their four-game road swing and go over .500 for the first time since the season's opening week.

Attackman Devon Cowan recorded his first hat trick of the season, and 11th of his career, in the victory as Marquette responded from a 4-2 halftime deficit for the win. The Golden Eagles scored the first eight goals after the intermission and goalie Michael Allieri made as season-high 17 saves, including 10 in the second half. In addition to Cowan, Jackson Rose, Bobby O'Grady and Luke Blanc each scored twice for MU.

The Golden Eagles have now won consecutive games after losses at Utah and then-No. 2 Notre Dame in early February.

O'Grady leads MU with 17 goals and 19 points, while fellow attackman Jake Stegman has a team-best 11 assists alongside 19 points.

BELLARMINE (4-1, 0-0 ASUN): The Knights are led in points by Kyle Playsted's 21 on 10 goals and 11 assists, while Christian Della Rocco is the leading scorer with 15 through five contests. Della Rocco was named the ASUN Player of the Week on Monday after scoring six goals in BU's 17-6 win over VMI on March 4.

Bellarmine opened the season with a 19-7 loss at then-No. 7 Duke on Feb. 4, but has since reeled off four-straight victories with wins over St. Bonaventure, Canisius and Marist, in addition to Saturday's triumph over the Keydets.

Midfielder Benny O'Rourk and defenseman Brady Long were each named to the Preseason All-ASUN Team, while the Knights were picked to finish fifth in the 10-team conference. Common opponent Utah was picked first, Detroit Mercy was pegged eighth and Lindenwood was ninth.

BU, a team receiving votes in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll, is averaging 13.0 goals per game and allowing 9.8, while forcing its opponents into 17.2 turnovers per game. On the season, the Knights are sub-.500 at the faceoff dot with a mark of .473 (62-of-131).

SERIES WITH THE KNIGHTS
Marquette claimed a 9-8 triple overtime victory over Bellarmine in the 2022 season opener behind four goals from O'Grady in his NCAA debut. O'Grady scored the game winner at the 2:55 mark of the third overtime period and MU out-shot the Knights, 46-28, and won 13-of-22 faceoffs. The Golden Eagles led 8-7 at the conclusion of the third quarter but BU's Justin Wescoat scored the lone tally of the fourth to send the game into extra time.

MU is 5-3 all-time against Bellarmine and has won each of the last three meetings, including two by just one score. In total, Marquette has played three overtime games against the Knights and the winning team has scored 11-or-fewer goals in seven of the eight games. On five occasions neither of the teams have reached double-figure goals.

Keep up with the Marquette men's lacrosse program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteMLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteMLax) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMLax).