Falcons Defeat VMI, 12-8, In Season Opener

U.S. Air Force Academy
Athletic Media Relations
Contact: Melissa McKeown
(719) 333-9025

Feb. 27, 2005

Falcons Defeat VMI, 12-8, In Season Opener

Lexington, Va. – Led by five goals from sophomore Conrad Lochocki (Chalfont, Pa.), the 2005 Air Force lacrosse team opened up the season with a victory, downing VMI, 12-8, Sunday afternoon at Patchin Field. The Falcons, who improve to 10-0 all-time against the Keydets, have now won three of their last four season-opening contests.

VMI took an early lead, as Erik Rohrmann found the back of the bet just three minute into the contest. Lochocki responded with his own goal, assisted by sophomore Will Meister (Denver, Colo.), at the 10:34 mark, but Leo McInerney got on the board to put the Keydets back up, 2-1. An unassisted score by Lochocki with just 45 seconds on the clock knotted the score at 2-2 to finish the first period.

The Falcons asserted themselves in the second quarter, outscoring VMI, 4-1. Rookie Kevin Crumrine (Edgewater, Md.) found the back of the net just 37 seconds into the period, sophomore Justin Kuchta (Ridgefield, Conn.) notched a goal of his own and Lochocki had two more scores to give Air Force a 6-3 advantage at the half.

Air Force extended its lead in the third period, outscoring the Keydets 4-3, with goals by Lochocki, Meister, Crumrine and Kuchta. The Keydets could never get closer than two goals for the rest of the game and, after a third goal by Kuchta with just under two and a half minutes remaining, trailed by as many as five goals. A score by McInerney with just six seconds on the clock brought the final score to 12-8.

While the Falcons dominated offensively for most of the game, outshooting the Keydets, 36-28, and had a 26-21 ground ball advantage, they struggled on face-offs, winning just six of 23.

Along with Lochocki’s five goals and Kuchta’s three scores, Crumrine added two goals and Meister notched a goal and two assists. Meanwhile, Paul Adams (Jr., Arvada, Colo.) and Max Miller (Jr., Dublin, Ohio) added a goal and an assist, respectively. Justin Pavoni (Jr., Park City, Utah), Daniel Breiding (So., Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Tim Hade (Sr., Franklin Lake, N.J.) had three ground balls each to lead the team, while Pavoni added 13 saves in goal.

For the Keydets, McInerney, who also notched an assist, and David Trimble, led the team with two goals each, while Robert Trimble tallied three assists. Goalkeeper Matt Hook recorded 16 saves in the loss.

The Falcons return to action next weekend, March 5-6, when they take part in the Pioneer Face-Off Classic, hosted by Denver. Air Force will take on Towson on Saturday before facing Lafayette on Sunday. Both games are slated to begin at 11:00 a.m. at Barton Lacrosse Stadium.


Air Force 12, VMI 8
Air Force Scoring: Goals: Conrad Lochocki 5, Justin Kuchta 3, Kevin Crumrine 2, Will Meister, Paul Adams. Assists: Will Meister, Max Miller.
VMI Scoring: Goals: Leo McInerney 2, David Trimble 2, Erik Rohrmann, Kevin Hill, Will Collier, Vincent Pierotti. Assists: Robert Trimble 3, Leo McInerney.

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