Air Force Downed, 15-6, By #11 Towson

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

March 5, 2005

Air Force Downed, 15-6, By #11 Towson

Denver, Colo. – Despite a personal-best 20 saves by goalkeeper Justin Pavoni (Jr., Park City, Utah), the Air Force lacrosse team fell to 11th-ranked Towson, 15-6, Saturday on the first day of the Pioneer Face-Off Classic, hosted by Denver. With the loss, the Falcons fall to 1-1 on the season, while the Tigers improve to 2-0.

The first period was a hard-fought battle, as both teams went scoreless for the opening 15 minutes. The Falcons won the only face-off of the period, stayed even on ground balls with 10 per team and outshot the Tigers 15-7 in the opening period. However, Towson’s Bobby Griebe was the first to find the net the second period, as the Tigers rattled off four unanswered goals. Air Force did manage two goals in the final two and a half minutes of the first half, but Towson still was able to take a 5-2 lead at the break.

Air Force scored first after intermission, as sophomore Justin Kuchta (Ridgefield, Conn.) went unassisted less than a minute into the third period. However, the Tigers dominated the rest of the period, scoring six straight goals, while outshooting the Falcons 17-3. Towson also won all nine face-offs in the quarter and picked up 13 ground balls to Air Force’s two.

The final period, like the first, was evenly contested, but it was not enough for the Falcons. Air Force cut the margin to 13-6 with an even-man goal at the 4:19 mark, but Towson notched two more before the end of regulation to account for the final 15-6 score.

In addition to being outshot 50-33 for the game, the Falcons gave up a 52-34 advantage on ground balls, and won just 6-of-25 face-offs.

Pavoni was outstanding in goal for Air Force, notching 20 saves while adding 10 ground balls. On the offensive end, six different players scored for the Falcons, as sophomore Will Meister (Denver, Colo.), Kuchta, Kevin Crumrine (Fr., Edgewater, Md.), Kevin Krieger (Jr., Chandler, Ariz.), John Smith (Jr., Hicksville, N.Y.) and Michael Kennedy (Sr., Manhasset, N.Y.) each found the back of the net. In addition, Meister and Kuchta, along with senior Tim Hade (Franklin Lake, N.J.), added assists for Air Force.

Leading scorers for the Tigers were Jonathan Engelke with four goals and an assist, Kyle Fiat with three goals and an assist and Griebe with two goals and two assists. Meanwhile, Reed Sothoron tallied 12 saves in just over 55 minutes of action.

The Falcons return to action tomorrow when they face Lafayette in the final game of the Pioneer Face-Off Classic. The game is slated to begin at 11:00 a.m. at Barton Lacrosse Stadium.


#11 Towson 15, Air Force 6
Towson Scoring: Goals: Jonathan Engelke 4, Kyle Fiat 3, Bobby Griebe 2, Brian Vetter, Keith Obloj, Adam Hagelin, Todd MacMullan, Ryan Preuss, Oliver Bacon. Assists: Bobby Griebe 2, Casey Cittadino, Jonathan Engelke, Keith Obloj, Brian Vetter.
Air Force Scoring: Goals: Will Meister, Justin Kuchta, Kevin Crumrine, Kevin Krieger, John Smith, Michael Kennedy. Assists: Tim Hade, Justin Kuchta, Will Meister.
-30-