Air Force Academy
Army
Falcons Suffer Disappointing Double-Overtime Loss to Army, 8-7
3/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
March 8, 2003
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Chris Woods finished off a pass from teammate Jeff Bryan to lift No. 18 Army to an 8-7 victory in double overtime over archrival Air Force at Shea Stadium Saturday afternoon. Woods converted on an extra-man opportunity with 1:47 left to seal the victory.
Bryan tied a career-high with four assists on the day, but he saved his best for last as he found Woods all alone just to the right side of the cage and the senior co-captain ripped a laser past Air Force goalie William Arnold for the game-winner late into the second four-minute overtime period.
In typical rivalry fashion, the game teetered back and forth all day with neither side gaining more than a two-goal advantage. Air Force (1-3) scored three times in the third quarter to even the score at 5-5 heading into the fourth quarter. Both sides then traded goals with Army (2-1) answering each Falcons score with one of its own just over one minute later.
Air Force's Alex DeManss registered his second goal of the contest 45 seconds into the fourth quarter, giving the visitors their first lead since the early stages of the contest. However, that advantage was short-lived as Army's Marko Kostovic beat Arnold 1:18 later to pull the Black Knights even again. When the Falcons jumped back into the lead on an EMO goal by Kyle Warf with 6:32 to go, Army was quick to retaliate as Jim Wagner completed his hat trick just over one minute later, logging the game's fifth tie in the process.
The Black Knights got the break they were looking for in the second overtime when Air Force midfielder Ray Wilson was called for pushing with 2:21 left. Army controlled possession of the ball on the restart, and Bryan quickly circled behind the net where he spotted Woods open in front.
Arnold was impressive between the pipes for the Falcons, stopping 19 Army attempts. Black Knights sophomore goalkeeper Matt Darak made a career-high 15 saves, picking up his second win of the yearDarak turned aside three golden opportunities in the first OT period to extend the game and keep the Black Knights alive. Darak made four saves in the two overtimes combined.
With the win, the Black Knights improved to 10-0 all-time against Air Force and finished the 2002-03 academic school year 7-2 against their fellow service academy. Air Force falls to 1-3 on the season. They have two weeks off before heading to Emmitsburg, Md., to take on Mount Saint Mary's on Sunday, March 22nd. Game time is noon MST.
Game Summary 1 2 3 4 OT OT FinalAir Force 2 0 3 2 0 0 7Army 2 2 1 2 0 1 8
Air Force Scoring: DeManss 2-0, Benzing 1-0, Borell 1-0, Lederer 1-0,Warf 1-0, Wilson 1-0, Anacker 0-1, Keleher 0-1.Army Scoring: Bryan 1-4, Wagner 3-0, Kostovic 1-2, Cotilletta 1-0,Ryan 1-0, Woods 1-0.
Shots: Air Force 34; Army 42.Ground balls: Air Force 41; Army 37.Clears: Air Force 19-26; Army 21-30.Faceoffs: Air Force 9 for 20; Army 11 for 20.Penalties: Air Force 7/6:30; Army 5/4:30.Extra-Man Opps: Air Force 1-5; Army 2-7.Attendance: 1,083.
