Air Force Academy
Denver
Falcons Drop 11-9 Contest To Denver
4/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
April 28, 2007
Denver, Colo. - Despite holding a four-goal lead in the first half, the Air Force lacrosse team could not hold off a late Denver rally, falling to the Pioneers, 11-9, Saturday evening at Barton Lacrosse Stadium. The Falcons fall to 2-9 on the season, 1-4 in the Great Western Lacrosse League, while the Pioneers improve to 8-7 overall, 3-2 in the GWLL.
The Falcons scored the only goal of the opening period, getting on the board with a goal from senior Justin Kuchta (Ridgefield, Conn.). Although Denver tied the game at 1-1 early in the second period, Air Force closed out the half with three straight goals, including a pair from senior Michael Weber (Wantagh, N.Y.).
The third period opened with a score from the Pioneers, but Air Force scored two more to increase its lead to 6-2. However, Denver outscored the Falcons 5-1 over the remainder of the period to tie the game at 7-7 going into the final period.
An unassisted score from sophomore Griffin Nevitt (Charlotte, N.C.) put Air Force back on top with 12:34 to play in the fourth quarter, but less than two minutes later, Denver again tied it up. A quick goal by junior Kevin Crumrine (Edgewater, Md.) put the Falcons up 9-8 and the game remained scoreless for the next seven minutes. The Pioneers managed three goals in the final three minutes of the contest, including an empty-net score with just three seconds remaining to grab the come-from-behind victory.
Denver native Will Meister (two goals, two assists) and Nevitt (one goal, three assists) led the Falcons with four points each in the contest. Weber, who added an assist to his two goals, scored a career-high three points in the contest. Also scoring goals for the Falcons were senior Kyle O'Neill (Portsmouth, R.I.), notching his first career goal, and sophomore Eric Evans (Ellicott City, Md.), while Dan Gnazzo (So., Eden Prairie, Minn.) added his first career assist.
Ilija Gajic paced the Pioneers with two goals and two assists in the contest, while Jon Paulson added two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist.
The Falcons end the season next weekend, May 6, when they travel to Durham, N.C., to face second-ranked Duke.
Denver 11, Air Force 9
Air Force Scoring: Goals: Will Meister 2, Michael Weber 2, Justin Kuchta, Kyle O'Neill, Eric Evans, Griffin Nevitt, Kevin Crumrine. Assists: Griffin Nevitt 3, Will Meister 2, Dan Gnazzo, Michael Weber.
Denver Scoring: Goals: Jon Paulson 2, Ryan Zordani 2, Ilija Gajic 2, Joey Murray, Brandon Barcus, David Hahn, Ryan Shaughnessy, Brad Patterson. Assists: Ilija Gajic 2, Brandon Barcus, Joey Murray, Sandon Olson, Brett Koll, Jacob Houghton, Ryan Zordani, Jon Paulson.
