Air Force Academy
Bellarmine
Air Force Downs Bellarmine, 9-7
3/31/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Box Score
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Sophomore attacker Matthew Schwartz notched a career-high five goals to lift Air Force to a 9-7 win over Bellarmine (2-7, 0-3 SoCon) in Southern Conference action, Saturday afternoon, at Frazier Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky. The Falcons improve to 4-7, with a 2-1 mark in league action.
Bellarmine was the first to light the scoreboard with a goal just 31-seconds into the opening period. Schwartz responded with the equalizer via Chet Dunstan's assist, two minutes later. In the waning seconds of the first period, Bellarmine took its second and final, lead of the game via Will Roshkowski's 10th goal this season.
The Falcons posted two-straight goals in the second period, matched by only one Bellarmine goal before the close of the half. Cameron Carter notched his ninth goal of the season at the 11:49 mark. Schwartz followed up with his second goal in an unassisted attack with 10:35 on the ticker. The Falcons and Knights entered the locker room at the half knotted at three.
Air Force found its rhythm in the third period, outscoring Bellarmine, 4-1. Andrew Tien assisted Schwartz with his hat trick goal at the 12:51 mark. The goal marked Schwartz's third career hat trick and second of the season. Unsatisfied with only three goals, the Mahtomedi, Minnesota, native pushed the attack, notching his fourth goal in an unassisted attack at the 9:20 mark.
The Knights' Brian Wall brought Bellarmine within one after netting a goal with 6:56 remaining in the third period. Air Force freshman attacker Matthew O'Rourk regained the Falcons' two-goal lead with his fourth goal of the season via Jake Thornally's feed. With two-seconds remaining in the period, Carter assisted team captain Nick Hruby for the Falcons' seventh goal. The goal marked Hruby's 21st of the season.
Bellarmine attempted to battle back in the fourth period as they outscored Air Force, 3-2, but the effort was too little, too late. Dunstan notched his fourth goal of the season at the 4:49 mark, extending the Falcons to an 8-6 lead. Schwartz followed up with his fifth goal in what became a career-best performance for the sophomore attack man. Trey Lervick was credited with the assist in Schwartz's final goal. Lervick leads the team with seven assists this season.
At the final whistle, Air Force led the Knights, 9-7. The Falcons held the advantage in shots, 31-23, led by Schwartz with seven. Trent Harper had another successful performance at the face off X, winning 11 face offs in 19 attempts (.579), while scooping up three ground balls. Kyle Richbourg led the team with four ground balls picked up. Freshman goalkeeper Braden Host recorded his fourth victory in Air Force's cage, recording six saves on the day.
Air Force will remain on the road in conference action as the squad travels to Jacksonville to take on the Dolphins, Sat., Apr. 7, at noon (ET). The Falcons are 5-1 against Jacksonville in the all-time series and have not lost to the Dolphins as conference opponents.
