The Lindenwood field hockey team picked up a big early season victory on Sunday afternoon at Hunter Stadium. The Lady Lions opened the 2017 ECAC season with a 3-1 win over Bellarmine.
 
The contest was a battle between the two teams picked to finish first and second in the preseason conference poll. Lindenwood took control of the game in the first half. The Lady Lions outshot the Knights 11-4 in the period, and jumped out to a 3-0 lead.
 
Graycen Dave got the scoring started in the ninth minute after redirecting a pass from Maroussia Buysschaert past the goalkeeper. Less than four minutes later, Lindenwood scored again on a penalty corner. Greta Banholzer received the corner and passed it to Nicole Johnston, who scored. The final score of the half came at the 27:51 mark when a nice series of passes ended with a Bridget Hoogendijk goal from Renee Duffy.
 
Late in the half, Bellarmine had its best scoring chances of the period when it had five penalty corners in a seven-minute span, and also had a penalty stroke shot. Lindenwood's Skylar Starbeck made the save on the penalty shot, and no other shots made it on goal.
 
The two teams played an even second half, with the only goal coming in the 56th minute when Bellarmine connected on a penalty stroke goal. Lindenwood's defense continually kept the ball from going through to the goal, which helped the Lady Lions hold on for the victory.
 
Lindenwood finished with a 16-8 advantage in shots, including a 9-3 edge in shots on goal. The Knights had two more penalty corners in the game at 9-7. Starbeck played nearly 50 minutes and did not allow a goal. Mackenzie Litterst played the final 20:15, and both Lindenwood goalies made one save.
 
Lindenwood improves to 2-0 on the season. The Lady Lions will be in action again next Sunday with an ECAC home contest, this one against Limestone at 11 a.m.