ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Grad transfer Kellen Pulera scored four goals in his St. Bonaventure debut, but Bellarmine held off the Bonnies, 13-9, in the 2024 season-opener at the Marra Athletics Complex Sunday afternoon.
Bellarmine (1-1) started the scoring with two goals in the first 4:33 and from there the Bonnies would be playing catch-up.
Pulera netted his first goal in a Bonnies uniform – and first of the year for the Brown and White – when he scored off a feed from Mark Belles at the 9:24 mark.
The Knights netted the next two scores for a 4-1 lead, and despite a man-up tally from Pulera late in the period, would take a 5-2 advantage after 14 minutes.
Pulera, a native of Amherst, had a hat trick just four minutes into the second quarter, but again the Knights responded with back-to-back goals for a 7-3 lead.
Bonaventure (0-1) got back within 7-5 at the half as the power play connected again – this time with Patrick Carpenter striking off the second assist of the half from Conor Murphy. Kyle Pepper and Anthony Cimino then teamed up with under a minute left before the break to give the hosts momentum into intermission.
Bona's man-down unit successfully killed off an early third quarter penalty, and it seemed as though the Bonnies would get back within one when Carpenter shot at point-blank range. It was denied by Knights goalie JC Higginbotham, who passed Dillon Ward for the school record in wins on the day, and the momentum completely shifted.
Denton Macdonald and John Alie scored the next two goals as Bellarmine stretched its lead back to four.
Carpenter, who also had an assist, scored his second of the day with 1:53 left in the third, but a goal from Lukas Sinon two seconds before the end of the quarter began a 4-0 Knights run for a 13-6 advantage with 8:24 to play.
The Bonnies attempted to rally late – Pulera scored his fourth, followed by a goal by Jake Rosa and the first career tally by Jake Argue, but it would not be enough.
Alie had a career day of five goals and six points to lead the way for Bellarmine.
Cristofero Cucciuffo made 17 saves for Bonaventure and Higginbotham had nine for Bellarmine.
Ryan Olan and Benny Carter both had two caused turnovers apiece for the Bonnies defense while Quinn Nolan won eight faceoffs.
The Bonnies are back in action Saturday at Binghamton. Faceoff is scheduled for noon.
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