Air Force Prevails in Overtime Thriller

USAF ACADEMY – An Air Force goal in overtime lifted the Falcons to a 10-9 win against Utah (1-2), Saturday afternoon, in the Falcon Stadium opener. Air Force improved to 1-1 with the victory.

Senior team captain Quincy Peene led the Falcons in scoring with four goals on the day, highlighted by two-straight goals in the fourth quarter to swing the momentum in favor of the Falcons. Peene took a game-high nine shots on the day. His four-goal showing ties a personal-best mark.

Senior Gianni Orlando was the Falcons' second-leading scorer with a pair of goals including the overtime game-winner in an unassisted attack. Senior Matthew O'Rourk and freshman Aidan Tolen led the squad with two assists apiece.

O'Rourk, Brenden Crouse, Ethan Grandolfo and Chad Teresky notched a goal each. Crouse and Grandolfo added an assist each to their final stat line and sophomore Tommy Hellman assisted Peene in Air Force's first goal of the game.

Sophomore faceoff man Dylan Frankhouser had a solid day at the dot, winning 13-of-22 attempts (.591) while also picking up five ground balls. Freshman Chris Bardak was all over the field, picking up a game-high eight ground balls and was credited for two caused turnovers. The Falcons forced eight turnovers on the game.

Senior goalie Braden Host made nine saves highlighted by snagging point-blank shots in the waning minutes of the game to keep the Falcons alive.

At the final horn, Air Force out shot Utah, 43-37. The squads were neck-and-neck in ground balls (28-28) and turnovers (15-14).

The Falcons and Utes continue a three-season streak of one-goal games.

Next up, the Falcons hit the road to take on perennial powerhouse Duke, on Saturday, February 27. Face off is slated for noon ET at Koskinen Stadium. Air Force has won three of the last four meetings with the Blue Devils, most recently winning last season's meeting, 14-13, in Durham.

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Players Mentioned

Chris Bardak

Brenden Crouse

Dylan Frankhouser

Ethan Grandolfo

Tommy Hellman

Braden Host

Matthew O'Rourk

Gianni Orlando

Quincy Peene

Chad Teresky

Aidan Tolen