Falcon Lacrosse Rallies to a Comeback Win in Overtime

March 25, 2017

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO - Cameron Carter connected with Austin Smith for the game-winning goal to lift the Falcons to a 10-9 win in overtime against Jacksonville, Saturday afternoon, at Falcon Stadium. Chris Walsch led the Falcons with a four-goal performance for his fifth hat trick of the season. The Falcons improve to 6-3 with a 2-0 mark in conference play.

Air Force and Jacksonville were even in the first period of play, notching three goals apiece. Jacksonville's Shawn Ewert initiated the scoring attack at the 13:35 mark. Walsch netted two first-period goals while Marcus Ward accounted for the third. Jack Flynn and Matthew Schwartz were credited with an assist apiece. Walsch's goal extended his active point streak to 33-straight games.

The Falcons hit a brick wall in the second period, allowing Jacksonville four unanswered goals to close the period with a 7-3 lead. Ewert logged his second goal in a man-up opportunity. Chase McIntyre, McLean Chicquen and Chase York added a goal apiece to the Dolphins' score sheet.

Following a motivational halftime talk, Air Force took the field with renewed energy in the third period. Walsch and Nick Hruby led the Falcon comeback with two goals apiece; including Walsch's equalizer from Trent Harper's feed with 15 seconds remaining in the period. Air Force's defense held Jacksonville to three shots and no goals in the period. Walsch's goals marked his second-straight conference action hat trick in in as many tries. Hruby's goals extended his active goal-streak to 22 games.

Undeterred, Jacksonville's Chicquen netted his second goal just over a minute into the final period to regain the lead, 8-7. Grant Gould and Carter responded with goals of their own to retake the lead, 9-8. With 1:35 remaining in regulation, the Dolphins setup an offensive attack that yielded Brett Reilly an opportunity for the equalizer. The Falcons entered overtime play for the first time this season.

Air Force controlled possession of the ball for the entire overtime period. With seven seconds remaining in overtime, Carter charged into Dolphin territory drawing defenders onto his position where he then found Smith open. Smith received and redirected the ball with a rocket into the Dolphins' net to seal the deal, 10-9. Smith's goal marked his fourth of the season.

At the final whistle, Air Force took 20 more shots than Jacksonville (45-25), and picked up 12 more ground balls than the 'Phins (26-14). Harper went 13-20 at face-off. Senior goalkeeper Mitch Rose registered a win in his debut appearance in goal for Air Force. Rose registered five saves while allowing four goals.

Next week, Air Force travels to Milwaukee, Wis., to take on Marquette in a non-conference match up, Tues., March 28, at 12:00 p.m. CT. On Saturday, April 1, Air Force returns home to take on Bellarmine in Southern Conference action at Falcon Stadium, at 7:00 p.m. MT, in Air Force's only home night game of the season. Live stats and broadcasts will be available for both games.

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.