Falcon Lacrosse Tops Mercer, Extends to 10 Straight Wins

April 9, 2016

U.S.AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Falcon lacrosse topped the Mercer Bears, 15-13, in Southern Conference action, April 9, at Falcon Stadium. The win marks the Falcons' 10^th straight win for an overall record of 10-2, 4-0 SoCon. The Bears drop to 3-7, 1-3 SoCon.

The Bears' Benjamin LaSane struck first with a goal in the opening minute of action. Air Force would answer with two unassisted goals from Andrew Tien and Nick Hruby.

Mercer followed up with two of their own from Jackson Kleintz and Pascal Coombs. In the final seconds of the first period, Chris Walsch delivered a behind-the-back assist to Hruby for the goal to tie the game with one second remaining.

Air Force regained the lead in the second period, netting three consecutive goals from Walsch, Christopher Allen and Austin Smith. Walsch tallied his second off the Grant Gould assist. The Bears rallied back scoring four unanswered goals and taking the lead, 7-6, going into half time.

Air Force held the first half advantage in shots (21-13) and face-offs (8-7), while Mercer lead in ground balls with 24 to the Falcons' 21. Mercer goalkeeper Mike Nugent made eight saves in the first half while Doug Gouchoe made four.

Walsch logged his second goal of the day off Cameron Carter's assist, three minutes into the second half. Allen followed up with a goal from Tien's assist. The Bears responded with two goals to retake the lead, 9-8. Walsch netted his third goal to tie the game, making his fourth hat trick of the season, 13^th of his career.

Following a Mercer goal, Marcus Ward tallied a goal with 1:15 remaining in the third period, sending the teams into the final period tied at 10.

Air Force recaptured the lead with a goal from Danny Brown, 28 seconds into the fourth period. The Bears responded with two goals of their own; Shawn Carter logged his fourth goal on the day for the Bears.

Tien followed up with his second goal of the day, followed by Allen's third goal of the day to retake the lead. Allen's hat trick marks his third of the season, 11^th of his career. Allen has had a hat trick in three of the four conference match ups this season.

The Bears tied the game at 13 with goal from LeSane at 5:49 remaining. Walsch would break the tie with his fourth goal of the game coming from Hruby's assist. Walsch's goal marked his second four-goal game against SoCon opponents. The Falcons extended the lead to two with Brown's second goal of the day, finalizing the score, 15-13, in favor of Air Force.

Seven Falcons tallied goals on the game, five had two goals or more. Allen, Carter, Gould, Hruby, Tien and Walsch each had an assist apiece. The Falcons outshot the Bears 45-29, and won 19 of 32 face offs. Air Force logged 40 ground balls to Mercer's 39. Nugent made 16 saves on the day while Gouchoe logged 8.

Air Force continues SoCon action at home against VMI, Saturday, April 16, at noon, at Falcon Stadium.

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