Air Force Falters Against Penn, 6-3

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

March 10, 2005

Air Force Falters Against Penn, 6-3

USAFA, Colo. – Despite outshooting the Quakers 20-7 in the second half, the Air Force lacrosse team has problems finding the back of the net, falling to Penn, 6-3, Thursday afternoon at Cadet Lacrosse Stadium. The loss drops Air Force to 2-2 on the season, while the Quakers improve to 1-1.

After an opening period in which both teams matched up evenly across the board, Penn finally broke into the scoring column with a goal by DJ Andrzejewski at the 12:43 mark in the second period. Two more Quaker goals in the next minute of the game put Penn up 3-0, and it controlled the tempo throughout much of the quarter. James Riordan scored for the Quakers with just over five minutes remaining in the half before Air Force sophomore Conrad Lochocki (Chalfont, Pa.) found the back of the net at the 1:04 mark for the Falcons’ first score of the game.

The Quakers extended their lead to 6-1 with a pair of goals to start the third period. However, Air Force began to assert itself on offense, taking 12 shots in the quarter. The Falcons’ persistence finally paid off as sophomores Justin Kuchta (Ridgefield, Conn.) and Will Meister (So., Denver, Colo.) hooked up for an extra-man score with 4:21 remaining in the third period. Less than 30 seconds later, long-stick midfielder Tim Hade (Sr., Franklin Lake, N.J.) picked up the ground ball after a Penn turnover, breaking away for the unassisted score to close the margin to three goals. Unfortunately, Air Force could not get any closer as the period drew to a close.

Down by a manageable three goals to begin the fourth period, the Falcons continued to outshoot Penn, but their effort did not translate to the scoreboard, as neither team was able to notch a goal to end the game.

Scoring for Air Force were Lochocki, Kuchta and Hade with a goal each, while Meister added his team-best eighth assist of the year. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Justin Pavoni (Jr., Park City, Utah) had nine saves, all in the first half, for the Falcons, while adding seven ground balls.

For the Quakers, Andrzejewski had two goals, while Riordan added a goal and an assist to lead the team in scoring.

The Falcons have 13 days off before embarking upon a five-game road swing. Air Force begins its travels at GWLL opponent Fairfield with a 3:00 p.m. (ET) contest on Wednesday, March 23.

Penn 6, Air Force 3
Penn Scoring: Goals: DJ Andrzejewski 2, James Riordan, Zandy Reich, Mark Becker, Luke Dixson. Assists: James Riordan, Patrick Rogers.
Air Force Scoring: Goals: Conrad Lochocki, Justin Kuchta, Tim Hade. Assists: Will Meister.


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