Air Force Downs Colgate, 11-10

USAF ACADEMY – Air Force held off a Colgate rally to win the game, 11-10, Saturday afternoon at the Falcon Lacrosse Practice Field on the Academy grounds. The Falcons, undefeated at home and making good on last season's loss to the Raiders, improve to 2-1 as Colgate drops their season opener.

The Falcons were led by Brandon Dodd and Ethan Grandolfo who notched a hat trick each. Dodd has nine goals this season in his second-straight hat trick performance while Grandolfo has four goals to his credit. Five Falcons scored goals on the game. Wes Peene and Aiden Tolen put up two goals each and Kyle Griffith scored the eventual game-winner.

Josh Yago, Gavin Peene, Tolen, and Griffith each dished an assist but it was Shad Bruce that had the assist of the game as he sprinted down field on a fast break to feed Griffith for the game winner. Air Force outshot the Raiders, 40-38, led by Grandolfo and Dodd with eight shots each.

The potential play of the game began as tying goal for Colgate was called a crease violation in the final minute. Quick to react, Jason Rose scooped the ball and cleared it to the AF side of the field where a timeout was called. With 20 seconds left, Yago ducked and dodged around the defense, denying the Raiders a takeaway and any opportunity at a tie game.

Jason Rose tallied 17 saves in the defensive effort, marking his second-straight game with 17 saves. The AF defense anchored by Chris Bardak, James Chastain and Tommy Hellman caused 10 Colgate turnovers. Matt Rosato and Daniel Enoch caused two apiece while Chastain caused three. The Air Force attack squad had a hand in three caused turnovers as well, Caelen Driggs caused two and Yago caused one.

Colgate won the faceoff dot behind Thomas Colucci who won 11-18 attempts. The final tally at the center dot was 15-24 in favor of the Raiders. Rory Connor and Adam Salvaggio led Colgate with two goals apiece. Connor also tacked on a pair of assists for a four-point game. Raiders' keeper Matt Lacombe made 12 saves on the day.

Next up, Air Force opens the road slate at Stony Brook on Friday, February 24. Action is slated for 2 p.m. ET at LaValle Stadium.

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Team Stats

Ethan Grandolfo

Brandon Dodd

Aidan Tolen

Wes Peene

Players Mentioned

Chris Bardak

Shad Bruce

James Chastain

Brandon Dodd

Daniel Enoch

Ethan Grandolfo

Kyle Griffith

Tommy Hellman

Gavin Peene

Wes Peene

Matt Rosato

Jason Rose

Josh Yago

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