KIRKSVILLE, Mo.—It was a rain soaked morning in Northern Missouri Sunday, as overnight rains left the soccer field unplayable and the game was moved to Stokes Stadium. With overcast skies the rain remained on the field most of the game, both teams battled conditions but ultimately it was Bellarmine who emerged a 1-0 victor after a goal with just under 13 minutes left proved to be the winner.

The Bulldogs had a chance to get on the board early on as Andrew Brennan made a run down the left flank and put up a shot that went off the crossbar and rolled off and out. Just a couple minutes later Bellarmine had their first chance, but goalkeeper Joey Keane was there to punch the shot away. Keane would make four saves in the first half, including a spectacular one handed effort at the end of the half, to keep the score at 0-0 headed into the intermission.

Bellarmine tested the Bulldog defense early in the second half, getting back to back corner kicks within the first few minutes. Just under eight minutes in Bellarmine got their first shot on goal of the half, which Keane repelled. With about 18 minutes left BU had a cross that was caught, and from there the game seemed to flow until Juan Ballas scored the lone goal of the game off a ball that rolled the length of the field and onto his foot. Goalkeeper Connor Range was credited with the assist. Another great chance came a few minutes later off a scrum and from a few yards away, but Brennan stepped in and deflected the ball out of the net with his foot. The game was still within reach for the Bulldogs, but Bellarmine would see the game out and take the match 1-0.

Keane had nine saves in the match, a career high for the freshman keeper. The Bulldogs will be on the road next weekend as they play at Lewis this coming Friday at 7:30 p.m. and then at Illinois-Springfield next Sunday at 2:30 in the afternoon.