Air Force Academy
Villanova
Air Force Drops Heartbreaker to Villanova, 8-7
4/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
April 28, 2002
VILLANOVA, Pa. -- Junior William Arnold made 10 saves but it wasn't enough, as Villanova (5-8 overall, 1-4 CAA) squeaked an 8-7 victory over the Air Force Academy (3-8 overall, 1-3 GWLL) in a contest played here at Villanova Stadium.
"It was a great game. We played really good defense," head coach Fred Acee said. "Unfortunately we didn't score on our extra man opportunities. We only scored once in eight opportunities."
The Falcons got on to the scoreboard first when Dave Brown's shot beat Wildcats starting goalkeeper Sean Philbin with 13:27 left in the first period. But it took only six seconds for the 'Cats to control the faceoff and score a goal as Brian Marks beat Falcon goalie William Arnold at the 13:21 mark.
The contest would remain tight all afternoon. A Brian Marks goal with 11:38 to go in the second period gave VU a 4-2 edge. However, Matthew Dudderar and Alex DeManns scored before the end of the period to knot matters at four entering halftime.
Villanova created a working margin for itself in the third period thanks largely to the efforts of Holloway, playing his final home game here. Holloway fed Brian Marks who gave the 'Cats a 5-4 lead at the 10:24 mark of the third. After Air Force answered with a goal by Michael Colosimo, Holloway scored with 2:50 left in the third to make it a 6-5 Villanova lead. That was followed just 24 seconds later by a goal by Matt Lucas to make it 7-5 Villanova after three.
The two teams traded goals in the fourth before another Brown score narrowed the Wildcats lead to 8-7 with 3:49 left in regulation. But the Wildcats gained control of the ball with 1:56 to play and retained possession for the rest of the way, earning the victory.
Air Force concludes its regular season on Saturday, May 4, against Denver. The game starts at 1 p.m. at the Cadet Lacrosse/Soccer Stadium.
