Air Force Drops Home Opener to No. 14 Denver, 14-8

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – The 14^th-ranked Denver Pioneers handed Air Force a 14-8 loss in the Falcon Stadium opener, Saturday afternoon, at USAFA. Denver notched their first win this season in the effort while the Falcons remain in the hunt for their first win.

Five Falcons accounted for eight goals led by Wes Peene, Hunter Panzik, and Caelan Driggs who tallied two apiece. Josh Yago put up a goal with two assists while Peene and Driggs were credited with one assist each. Sophomore Nick Walter scored his first collegiate goal in the effort.

Air Force had the advantage in shots, taking 40 to Denver's 32. Yago took a game high nine shot attempts while Peene took six and Driggs fired five off. Denver took more shots on goal however, putting 22 on cage.

Denver led the game wire to wire highlighted by a hat trick performance from Marek Tzagournis. Eight Pioneers tallied goals on the game. Four Pioneers had multiple goals and nine players tallied scores.

At the center dot, The Pios' Michael Kraus took every attempt, winning 14-25. Air Force split time between Jake Knapp (6-12) and Daniel Haimes (5-13). Knapp led the squad with six ground balls. Junior defender Cole Cunningham led the defense with a pair of caused turnovers and five ground balls collected. Senior Cody Gross also caused a pair of turnovers on the game.

In goal, Denver's Malcolm Kleban secured the win making nine saves against 19 shots on goal. Air Force's Jake Marek made eight saves and picked up four ground balls.

Next up, Air Force hits the road to take on Ohio State in Columbus, February 15. Action at Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium is slated for 2 p.m. ET. The teams last met at the Academy last season, tOSU won the game, 12-4.

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