Denver Hands CC Women’s Lacrosse First Loss Tigers End Regular Season With 10-1 Record

Denver Hands CC Women’s Lacrosse First Loss Tigers End Regular Season With 10-1 Record

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Junior midfielder Stephanie Greenlees scored four goals and added three assists to lead the University of Denver to a 17-8 victory over Colorado College Saturday afternoon at CC’s Stewart Field.

The Pioneers scored five consecutive goals midway through the first half to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 6-3 lead with 14:30 remaining in the opening period. The Tigers cut the lead to 6-4 on the second of four goals by junior midfielder Helen Sneath, but DU scored the next eight goals to remove any doubt about the final outcome.

Freshman midfielder Megan Tyrie and senior midfielder Crystal Jack added three goals apiece for the Division I Pioneers, who improved to 5-11 on the season.

Senior attacker Cassie Abel had a goal and two assists for the Tigers, while senior attacker Jen Alpern and sophomore attacker Kate Fitzgerald each had a goal and an assist.

Senior Steph Schneider made 15 saves for DU before leaving with 10 minutes remaining in the game. Junior Alana Dalton had four saves in just over 40 minutes in goal for CC.

The fifth-ranked Tigers will have to wait until Sunday, May 8, before learning who they will face in the NCAA Division III tournament.

-- CC --

Air Force Falls Short Against #15 Denver, 10-9, In Overtime

Air Force Falls Short Against #15 Denver, 10-9, In Overtime

DENVER, Colo. – Despite mounting a late rally to force overtime, the Air Force lacrosse team was unable to complete the upset, falling 10-9 to 15th-ranked Denver Saturday afternoon at a cold, snowy Barton Lacrosse Stadium. The Falcons conclude their season with a 4-8 overall ledger, 1-4 league mark, while the Pioneers move to 9-4, 4-0 in GWLL action.

Denver was first to get on the board, scoring at the 12:21 mark, but Air Force responded less than a minute and a half later as senior Jeffrey Jablonski (Cincinnati, Ohio) notched just his second career goal. However, the Pioneers scored twice more in the next two and a half minutes to go up 3-1. Sophomore Justin Kuchta (Ridgefield, Conn.) cut the deficit back to one goal at the 6:05 mark with his first goal of the contest, but neither team was able to score for the remainder of the period.

Air Force was able to tie the game up early in the second quarter, as Denver native Will Meister found freshman Kevin Crumrine (Edgewater, Md.) for the equalizer. Another score by Kuchta put the Falcons on top, 4-3, with 11:58 on the clock. Just seven seconds later, Air Force’s advantage was stretched to two, as Crumrine scored a man-up goal off a perfect pass from senior co-captain D.J. Benzing (Severna Park, Md.), who scooped up the ground ball directly off the face-off. Denver scored once more as Michael Goltra found the net on an extra-man opportunity, but the Falcons were able to go into intermission with a 5-4 lead.

Just 44 seconds into the third period, Denver’s leading scorer, Matt Brown, tied the game once more, but again, Air Force had an answer, this time from sophomore Conrad Lochocki (Chalfont, Pa.), who scored off the feed from Michael Weber (So., Wantagh, N.Y.). However, Denver’s offense was relentless, firing shot after shot at Air Force goalkeeper Justin Pavoni (Jr., Park City, Utah). Pavoni did everything possible to keep the ball out of the net, using his body and his stick to fight off the Pioneers. But nearly midway through the period, Pavoni went out of the game with an injury to the head. Replacement Daniel Bellissimo (So., Glen Cove, N.Y.) was thrown into the fire and made an impressive save right away, but Denver still managed two quick goals to regain the lead before Pavoni re-entered the game at around the six-minute mark.

The Falcons tied the game once more when Kuchta found the back of the net with 3:22 on the clock, but Denver fired back with a goal of its own just 10 seconds later. The third period ended with the Pioneers holding on to an 8-7 advantage, which they would keep for most of the final quarter, as neither team was able to put the ball between the pipes. The fourth period remained scoreless until Denver’s Ryan Zordani notched his only goal of the afternoon with just 3:24 left to play, putting the Pioneers up by two.

After winning the ensuing face-off, Air Force set up its offense, looking to make the most of its possession. The Falcons succeeded, cutting the deficit to one point at the 2:47 mark, when Lochocki scored off the assist from Meister. Down the stretch, both teams had problems taking care of the ball in the steadily increasing snow storm, but at the end of the game, it was the Falcons with the best shot to score. With just 18 ticks on the clock, Denver’s Scott Davidson was called for holding, giving Air Force a man-up opportunity. Although the Falcons entered the contest ranked ninth in the nation in man-up offense, they had been unable to capitalize on three earlier chances in the fourth period. However, with the game on the line, Kuchta came through on the EMO, scoring off the assist from Meister with just six seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, the amazing comeback would be for naught. After Denver won the opening face-off in the extra period, an Air Force penalty gave the Pioneers an extra-man opportunity of their own. Just 26 seconds into overtime, Brett Koll slid the ball past Pavoni to give Denver the 10-9 Senior Day victory.

Leading the Falcons with four points each were Kuchta (four goals) and Meister (four assists). Meanwhile, Lochocki and Crumrine added two scores each for Air Force. Between the pipes, Pavoni was credited with seven saves and nine ground balls, while making numerous other defensive stops. Senior co-captain Tim Hade (Franklin Lake, N.J.) also ended his Falcon career in impressive fashion, picking up seven ground balls at the long-stick midfield position.

For the Pioneers, Zordani had a team-high four points on one goal and three assists, while Brown tallied three goals to lead the team.


Denver 10, Air Force 9 (OT)
Air Force Scoring: Goals: Justin Kuchta 4, Conrad Lochocki 2, Kevin Crumrine 2, Jeffrey Jablonski. Assists: Will Meister 4, D.J. Benzing, Michael Weber.
Denver Scoring: Goals: Matt Brown 3, Scott Davidson 2, Brett Koll 2, Ryan Zordani, Adam Swain, Michael Goltra. Assists: Ryan Zordani 3, Darren Sasaki-Scanlon, Ryan Shaugnessy.

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The Air Force lacrosse team (4-7, 1-3) wraps up the 2005 season Saturday, April 30

The Air Force lacrosse team (4-7, 1-3) wraps up the 2005 season Saturday, April 30, as it heads up the road to face intra-state rival Denver in GWLL action. The game is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m. at Barton Lacrosse Stadium.


Last Time Out…
The Falcons went 1-1 in conference play last week, defeating Butler, 11-8, before falling to Ohio State, 11-7.

The Bulldogs got out to an early 4-0 lead on Air Force before the Falcons responded with four straight scores of their own to tie the game. With Butler taking a 5-4 lead at the halftime, Air Force opened the second half with another four-goal spurt, but the Bulldogs tied the game once more late in the fourth period. However, junior John Smith, who scored a career-high three goals in the game, tallied the game-winner and Will Meister added a pair of insurance goals to give Air Force an 11-8 win.

Two days later, the Falcons hosted the Buckeyes on Senior Day, led by as many as four before moving to a 6-3 advantage at the half. However, Ohio State rattled off four straight goals to take its first lead of the game. The Falcons tied it back up before the end of the third quarter, but were outscored 4-0 in the fourth period to take the 11-7 loss.

Goalkeeper Justin Pavoni was stellar against the Buckeyes, tallying 19 saves, including six in each of the first three periods. Meister and Conrad Lochocki scored two goals each for the Falcons.


How We Rate...
In the latest edition of national statistics released by the NCAA (through games on April 24), Air Force goalkeeper Justin Pavoni ranks fifth in the nation in ground balls with 7.36 per game.

Meanwhile, sophomore attackman Will Meister is also in the national rankings, rated 15th in the country in assists per game with 1.73.

In addition, the Falcons rank ninth in the nation in man-up offense at .395.


Scouting the Pioneers...
Denver, ranked 15th in the latest USILA coaches poll and 14th in the Inside Lacrosse media poll, enters this weekend’s match-up with an 8-4 overall and are 3-0 in the Great Western Lacrosse League.

Last weekend, the Pioneers recorded a pair of league victories, defeating Ohio State, 13-8, before capturing a 17-7 win over Butler. Leading the way for Denver on the weekend was sophomore Ryan Zordani, who tallied three goals and two assists against the Buckeyes and a goal and three assists versus the Bulldogs, earning GWLL player of the week honors.

On the season, Matt Brown, who leads the league with 2.67 goals per game, has a team-high 38 points on 32 goals and six assists. Meanwhile, Darren Sasaki-Scanlon is tops on the team with 19 assists, ranking third in the GWLL with 1.25 assists per contest.


How They Rate...
In the latest NCAA statistical reports, Denver ranks eighth in the country in scoring offense (11.5 ppg), scoring margin (3.5) and man-up offense (.410), while ranking 15th in scoring defense (8.0 ppg). Meanwhile, Matt Brown is 10th in the nation with 2.67 goals per game.


In the Series...
Denver and Air Force share a long history, having met at least once in every season but one (1995) since the Falcons’ program began in 1967. Air Force has a commanding 51-11 series advantage over the Pioneers, but has lost five of the last six contests, including the past two.


Last Year vs. Denver...
The Falcons suffered a heartbreaking loss to No. 18 Denver last season, when an Air Force turnover enabled the Pioneers to score a man-down goal to break a 6-6 tie in the fourth quarter, to hold on for the 7-6 win.


AF in the GWLL Rankings...
In the latest rankings released by the GWLL on April 25, several Falcons are rated among the league’s leaders in various statistical categories.

Junior goalkeeper Justin Pavoni remains the league leader in ground balls per game with 7.36, while also leading the conference in saves with 12.73 pg. Sophomore Will Meister ranks second in the GWLL in both assists (1.73) and points (3.18) per game. In goals per game, sophomore Conrad Lochocki is third with 2.27.


Winning The Face-Off...
The Falcons have struggled with face-offs all season, ranking last in the conference with a .339 percentage (82-of-160). However, in last week’s games against Butler and Ohio State, Air Force recorded two of its best face-off percentages of the season, winning 11-of-22 (.500) versus Butler and a season-best 12-of-21 (.571) against the Buckeyes.

Pacing the Falcons to their season-best efforts on the face-off was sophomore Kyle Neill, who won 18-of-32 (.545) for the week.


Smitty’s Career Day...
Junior John Smith had a huge day for the Falcons against Butler, tallying a career-high three goals to double his season total. His third goal on the day proved to be the game-winner, the first in his career. Smith also added a goal in the Ohio State game, bringing his season total to seven.


Don’t Penalize Us...
This season, penalties haven’t been a big problem for the Falcons, who rank second in the league with just four penalties per game. While Air Force is one of the least penalized teams in the GWLL, it also clamps down the defense when it IS penalized, and holds the second-best penalty-killing percentage in the conference, allowing just 11 goals in 40 extra-man opportunities (.725) for its opponents. Air Force is also one of only two teams in the league (Denver is the other) which has scored a man-down goal.

CC to put perfect record on the line against Denver

CC to put perfect record on the line against Denver

The Colorado College women’s lacrosse team will attempt to complete the first perfect regular season in the 11-year history of the program when the Tigers play host to the University of Denver at 3 p.m. Saturday at Stewart Field.

Colorado College improved to 10-0 last week with victories against then No. 8 Colby College (15-8) and Bates College (12-10) on a two-game road trip in Maine. The Tigers, who jumped from No. 9 to No. 5 in this week’s Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association poll, are one of only two undefeated teams remaining in Division III, joining No. 1 Salisbury University as the only schools to earn the distinction. The 2005 campaign marks the second consecutive season that CC won its first 10 games. Last year, the Tigers set a school record by winning their first 12 games before losing to Division II UC Davis.

The Tigers feature sophomore attacker Kate Fitzgerald, who leads the team with 28 goals and 38 points. Senior attacker Cassie Abel, who became the program’s first-ever first-team All-American last year, is second with 26 goals and 31 points. Abel needs 12 tallies to tie Mary Everett’s school record of 180 career goals. Junior goalie Alana Dalton ranks 14th in Division III with a 6.73 goals-against average, while senior midfielder Lizzie Franks is No. 20 in caused turnovers, averaging 2.6 per game.

Colorado College and Denver will be meeting for the 16th time on Saturday. DU took an 8-7 lead in the series after rallying in the second half to defeat the Tigers 13-11 last year in Denver. CC will be looking to snap a four-game skid against the Division I Pioneers. Its last victory over DU was in 2000, a 10-8 triumph in Denver.

Lacrosse Featured in Sports Illustrated Article

Lacrosse Featured in Sports Illustrated Article
BALTIMORE — Lacrosse is the subject of the main feature article in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/), which will hit newsstands beginning on Wednesday, April 20. The article, "Get on the Stick," was written by Sports Illustrated senior writer Alexander Wolff and includes special reporting from Julia Morrill.

The main feature article also includes a number of sidebars, including "The New Breed" chronicling Colorado’s statewide interest in the sport and "Warrior Culture" looking at technology in the sport. The entire package on lacrosse covers nine pages and includes several quotes from US Lacrosse Executive Director Steve Stenersen.

Johns Hopkins sophomore attackman Jake Byrne appears in an inset photo on the cover, which highlights the National Basketball Association playoffs. The picture carries the caption "The Fastest Growing Sport in America."

Steph Greenlees Named MPSF Player of the Week - The junior earns accolade for second time

WOMEN’S LACROSSE NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 26 2005

Steph Greenlees Named MPSF Player of the Week - The junior earns accolade for second time

WOODLAND, Calif. – Junior midfielder Steph Greenlees (Lake Forest, Ill.) was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Week it was announced today by league officials. Greenlees tallied four goals to lift the Pioneers to a 12-9 victory over UC Davis. She also assisted on the game’s opening goal.

Greenless was also named the MPSP Player of the Week on April 4. She netted eight goals in two games for the Pioneers that week.

The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, April 30, when they travel to Colorado Springs to battle Colorado College at 3 p.m. Head coach Cathy Nelson Reese will take part in the dedication of Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium at noon Saturday, April 30.

Denver Takes UC Davis, Bears Over The Ducks

Denver Takes UC Davis, Bears Over The Ducks
No. 20 STANFORD posted a 20-16 victory over Loyola in Baltimore. Megan Burker and Daphne Patterson each scored five goals for the Cardinal. CALIFORNIA beat first year MPSF opponent OREGON 19-8. Sophomore midfielder Liz Reifsnyder scored two goals and added three assists for the Golden Bears. Molly Brady, Leanne Zilioli, Laura Cavallo and Brittany Aungier each scored a hat trick for the Bears. UC DAVIS lost a 9-12 conference match up over DENVER. Katie McMahon led the Aggies with four goals and an assist while Tiffany Lee contributed a hat trick. DENVER player Kate Broderick’s draw control and key assist on the go-ahead goal lifted the Pioneers to a 12-9 victory against UC Davis. Steph Greenlees added four goals in the victory. Oregon posted a loss to California 8-19. Freshman midfielder Jen May led the team with three goals, while midfielder Jenny Browne added two. ST MARYS traveled east where they dropped two games, first to George Washington 6-19 and then to Drexel 10-14.

Denver’s Steph Greenlees Earns MPSF Player Of The Week Honors

Denver’s Steph Greenlees Earns MPSF Player Of The Week Honors
WOODLAND, Calif. – Denver Junior Steph Greenlees (Lake Forest, Ill) tallied four goals to lift the Pioneers to a 12-9 victory over UC Davis. Greenlees also assisted on the game’s opening goal.

Also nominated: Tiffany Lee, junior attacker, UC Davis – Liz Reifsnyder, sophomore, California – Megan Burker, junior, Stanford

2005 MPSF Women's Lacrosse Champioship Tournament St. Mary’s College – May 5-7

2005 MPSF Women's Lacrosse Champioship Tournament St. Mary’s College – May 5-7

MPSF Quarterfinals – Thu., May 5
All Times Tentative
Practice 7:30-11:30 - based on game times
12noon Game 1: #5 vs. #4
2:00pm Game 2: #6 vs. #3
No. 1 and No. 2 seeds have quarterfinal byes

MPSF Semifinals - Fri., May 6
All Times Tentative
Practice 7:30-11:30 - based on game times
12noon Game 3: Losers Games 1 & 2
2:00pm Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. #1
4:00pm Game 5: Winner Game 2 vs. #2

MPSF Finals - Sat., May 7
Practice 8:30-10:30 - based on game times
11:00am Game 6: 3rd Place: Losers Games 4 & 5
2:00pm Game 7: 1st Place: Winners Games 4 & 5

Falcons Fall To Ohio State In GWLL Action

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

April 24, 2005

Falcons Fall To Ohio State In GWLL Action

USAFA, Colo. – Unable to answer a fourth-quarter flurry by the Buckeyes, the Air Force lacrosse team fell 11-7 to visiting league opponent Ohio State Sunday afternoon at a cold, wet Cadet Lacrosse Stadium. The Falcons fall to 4-7 on the season, 1-3 in the league, while the Buckeyes improve to 5-6, 2-1 in the GWLL.

Air Force was first to strike in the contest, when sophomore Will Meister (Denver, Colo.) found the back of the net at the 7:07 mark. A pair of Falcon goals in the next three minutes — one by sophomore Justin Kuchta (Ridgefield, Conn.) and another by Meister — put them up 3-0, and it appeared that Air Force might change its luck against the Buckeyes, who had won the previous seven contests in the series. However, Ohio State’s Ben Wolff scored with just over two minutes left on the clock to put the Buckeyes on the board for the first time.

Another Ohio State score in the first minute of the second quarter cut the margin to a single point, but Air Force rattled off three straight scores, starting with an man-up goal by junior Max Miller (Dublin, Ohio). The Buckeyes scored once more before the close of the period, but the Falcons had gotten out to a 6-3 advantage.

However, it wasn’t long before Air Force’s lead was erased. Despite winning five-of-six face-offs in the third period, the Falcons allowed Ohio State to score four straight goals to go on top, 7-6. Air Force tied it back up with just over five minutes on the clock, as sophomore Conrad Lochocki (Chalfont, Pa.) tallied his second goal of the afternoon.

The Buckeyes continued their offensive assault in the third period, regaining the lead at the 7:02 mark when Andrew Bender found Craig Nolan for Ohio State’s eighth score of the day. It proved to be the game-winner, as the Buckeyes scored three more times in the period while holding the Falcons scoreless in the fourth quarter. Ohio State, outscoring Air Force 9-1 in the final 34:18 of the game, held on for the 11-7 victory.

Perhaps most devastating to the Falcons was their inability to clear the ball in the third quarter, giving the Buckeyes numerous fast break opportunities. In the contest, Ohio State outshot Air Force 53-37, and limited the Falcons to just one score on four extra-man opportunities. On the positive side, Air Force won a season-best 12-of-21 face-offs, including 10-of-19 by sophomore Kyle O’Neill (Portsmouth, R.I.). Goalkeeper Justin Pavoni (Jr., Park City, Utah) was also stellar, notching 19 saves, including six in each of the first three periods, along with eight ground balls.

Meister led the Falcon offense with three points on two goals and an assist. Lochocki added two goals and Kuchta added a goal and an assist. Also scoring for Air Force were John Smith (Jr., Merion, Pa.) and Miller, while freshman Kevin Crumrine (Edgewater, Md.) recorded an assist.

For the Buckeyes, Bender finished with a game-high four points on two goals and two assists, while Nolan added two goals and an assist and Kyle Olson and Wolff also added two goals each. Between the pipes, Mike Rimmer recorded 13 saves and six ground balls.

The Falcons close the 2005 season next Saturday, April 30, when they travel to intra-state rival Denver for a GWLL match-up. The game is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m. at Barton Lacrosse Stadium.

Ohio State 11, Air Force 7
Air Force Scoring: Goals: Will Meister 2, Conrad Lochocki 2, Justin Kuchta, John Smith, Max Miller. Assists: Kevin Crumrine, Justin Kuchta, Will Meister.
Ohio State Scoring: Goals: Andrew Bender 2, Craig Nolan 2, Kyle Olson 2, Ben Wolff 2, Jason Lutz, Ricky Pages, Eric O’Brien. Assists: Andrew Bender 2, Jason Bloom, Craig Nolan.

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Air Force Captures 11-8 League Win Over Butler

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

April 22, 2005

Air Force Captures 11-8 League Win Over Butler

USAFA, Colo. – Junior John Smith (Merion, Pa.) tallied a career-high three goals, including the game-winner, to pace the Air Force lacrosse team to an 11-8 come-from-behind victory over league foe Butler Friday afternoon at the Cadet Lacrosse Stadium. The win moves the Falcons to 4-6 overall, 1-2 in the GWLL, while the Bulldogs fall to 4-6, 0-3 in conference play.

Air Force looked sluggish in the opening minutes, digging itself into an early deficit against the Bulldogs. After Kyle Tietjen put Butler on the board at the 11:30 mark in the opening period, the team rattled off three more unanswered goals, all by Nick Vosburgh, to take a 4-0 lead with just over five minutes to play in the first quarter. An Air Force timeout proved to be the proper remedy, as they scored twice before the end of the period to cut the deficit to 4-2.

The Falcons continued their momentum early in the second quarter, when freshman David Rose (Allentown, Pa.) tallied his first career goal at the 9:43 mark. Less than 20 seconds later, Smith scored off the ensuing face-off to tie the game at 4-4. However, the Bulldogs regained their advantage with 8:06 on the clock when Vosburgh tallied his fourth score of the day. The period ended with Butler holding on to a 5-4 lead going into intermission.

Tough defense in the third period proved to be beneficial to the Falcons, as they were able to hold the Bulldogs scoreless. Meanwhile, the Air Force offense began to click, producing four goals, including a pair of extra-opportunity scores to open the quarter. Max Miller (Jr., Dublin, Ohio), with his first career goal, was the first to score in the period, connecting on a perfect pass from freshman Kevin Crumrine (Edgewater, Md.), while Conrad Lochocki (So., Chalfont, Pa.) scored off an assist from sophomore Will Meister (Denver, Colo.). Justin Kuchta (Ridgefield, Conn.) and Smith also scored to close out the quarter.

With an 8-5 lead to open the final period, the Falcons tried to hold on to their advantage, but Butler came storming back. Pat Hurto notched his first score of the game at the 11:45 mark, followed by a Phil Brauch-goal just over a minute later to cut the margin to 8-7. Vosburgh, who had been a hero for the Bulldogs all day, came through once again, tying the score once more with 8:46 remaining in the contest. From that point on, both teams played tough defense, and it seemed that an overtime contest was not unlikely. However, with just under three minutes left on the clock, Smith weaved through his defenders to slide the ball right past Butler goal-minder Sam Ashley, giving Air Force the 9-8 advantage.

Meister gave the Falcons an insurance goal with 1:05 on the clock, tossing the ball into an empty net. He drove straight to the cage for another score just over 30 seconds later, helping to seal the first conference win of the year for Air Force.

The Falcons had their best showing of the year on face-offs, winning half (11-of-22), while also converting 3-of-4 extra man opportunities. In addition, goalkeeper Justin Pavoni (Jr., Park City, Utah) was solid, tallying 11 saves, including five in the third period alone, and four ground balls.

Leading the Falcons with three points each were Smith (three goals) and Meister (two goals, one assist). Lochocki added two goals, while Kuchta, Crumrine and Miller all notched a goal and an assist each.

For the Bulldogs, Vosburgh added an assist to his five goals to finish the game with six points. Meanwhile, Tietjen had four points on a goal and three assists and Ashley had seven stops between the pipes.

Air Force will host Ohio State in its home finale on Sunday, April 24 at noon. The game, which will be held at Cadet Lacrosse Stadium, marks the final home appearances for seniors D.J. Benzing (Severna Park, Md.), Tim Hade (Franklin Lake, N.J.), Jared Brush (Nesconset, N.Y.), Jeffrey Jablonski (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Michael Kennedy (Manhasset, N.Y.). They will be honored, along with their parents, in a brief ceremony prior to the beginning of the contest.

Air Force 11, Butler 8
Air Force Scoring: Goals: John Smith 3, Will Meister 2, Conrad Lochocki 2, Justin Kuchta, Kevin Crumrine, Max Miller, David Rose. Assists: Kevin Crumrine, Justin Kuchta, Will Meister, Max Miller.
Butler Scoring: Goals: Nick Vosburgh 5, Kyle Tietjen, Phil Brauch, Pat Hurto. Assists: Kyle Tietjen 3, Brendan Flanagan, Nick Vosburgh.
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Pioneers Pull Away From Aggies in Key MPSF Matchup - Denver ensured of third seed in May’s league tournament

WOMEN’S LACROSSE NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 22, 2005

Pioneers Pull Away From Aggies in Key MPSF Matchup - Denver ensured of third seed in May’s league tournament

DAVIS, Calif. – Junior Steph Greenlees (Lake Forest, Ill.) scored four goals but it was a crucial draw control and assist by sophomore Kate Broderick (Chantilly, Va.) that helped lift the University of Denver women’s lacrosse team to a 12-9 win over UC Davis in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation game at Aggie Field Friday, April 22.

The Pioneers improve to 5-11, but more importantly, bump their conference mark to 3-2. The win virtually ensures Denver of the third seed in May’s conference tournament. The Aggies drop to 8-6 for the year, and 2-2 in the MPSF.

Katie McMahon led UC Davis with four goals and an assist, while Tiffany Lee contributed a hat trick. All three of Lee's goals came within a span of four minutes during the second half, and two of them retied a game that featured three different lead changes.

Lee scored back-to-back goals at the 47:07 and 49:14 marks in the second period, cutting an 8-6 Denver advantage to an 8-8 tie. Greenlees hit her fourth goal at 50:56 into the game to give the Pioneers a 9-8 edge, but Lee struck again on an unassisted drive to retie the game at 9-9 with 8:44 remaining.

On the next draw, Broderick won the toss and immediately fired to teammate senior Tara Bourdelaise (Grambrills, Md.), who was making a strong drive toward the UC Davis cage. Bourdelaise collected the outlet and converted the goal to give the Pioneers the lead for good.

Junior Tanya Fuchs (Bay Shore, N.Y.) posted a goal and an assist in the final minutes to help Denver extend the lead to the 12-9 final.

Kaitlin Moore and Katie McGovern each chipped in a goal and an assist for UC Davis. Lindsay Messina and Megan Miller also had assists for the Aggies.

Fuchs finished with a 2-2-4 line and Broderick had a 2-1-3 chart for the Denver offense. Senior goalkeeper Steph Schneider (Leesburg, Va.) posted 11 saves in the Pioneer cage.

The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, April 30, when they travel to Colorado Springs to battle Colorado College at 3 p.m. Head coach Cathy Nelson Reese will take part in the dedication of Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium at noon Saturday, April 30.

The Air Force lacrosse team (3-6) concludes its 2005 home slate this week

The Air Force lacrosse team (3-6) concludes its 2005 home slate this week, as it hosts GWLL opponents Butler and Ohio State. The Falcons take on Butler at 3:00 p.m.. on Friday, April 22, and will face Ohio State at noon on Sunday, April 24. Both games will take place at Cadet Lacrosse Stadium.


Last Time Out…
A dismal first-half performance was too much to overcome as the Falcons fell, 14-5, to host North Carolina last week in non-conference action.

Air Force had trouble keeping control of the ball on the slippery, rain-soaked grass at Fetzer Field and, as a result, fell behind 10-0 at the break.

The Falcons got on board immediately in the third period, as D.J. Benzing scored directly off the opening face-off. However, Air Force would never threaten, despite outscoring the Tar Heels in the second half.

Justin Pavoni had a solid performance in goal for the Falcons, tallying 13 saves and 12 ground balls. Freshman Conrad Lochocki led the offensive attack with two goals, while Benzing and Will Meister added a goal and an assist each.


How We Rate...
In the latest edition of national statistics released by the NCAA (through games on April 17), Air Force goalkeeper Justin Pavoni ranks fourth in the nation in ground balls with 7.67 per game.

Meanwhile, sophomore attackman Will Meister is also in the national rankings, rated 11th in the country in assists per game with 1.89.

As a team, the Falcons, who have converted on their last five straight extra-man opportunities, rank 11th in the nation in man-up offense at .371.


Scouting the Bulldogs...
Butler, which enters this week’s contest with a 4-5 overall record and is 0-2 in league action, is coming off a difficult 19-1 loss to Princeton.

The Tigers, who played four different goalkeepers in the contest, allowed only 12 shots by the Bulldogs. The lone scorer for Butler in the game was sophomore Pat Hurto.

Grant Albertson is the team’s leading scorer, with 16 goals and five assists (21 points) on the season, while Cliff Smith follows with 19 points (13 goals, six assists).


In the Series...
The Falcons are 3-8 all-time against Butler, and have won two in a row in the series, which began in 1994.


Last Year vs. Butler...
Air Force rolled to a 13-6 victory over the Bulldogs last season, led by a career performance by junior D.J. Benzing. Benzing tallied eight points on four goals and four assists in the final conference matchup of the year for the Falcons, marking the highest single-game point total for an individual in head coach Fred Acee’s seven years.


Scouting the Buckeyes...
Ohio State currently holds a 4-5 overall record, 1-0 in the GWLL, and will face Denver Friday before heading to the Academy on Sunday.

In its last contest, Ohio State rolled to an 18-5 victory over winless Robert Morris. The Buckeyes utilized a balanced attack,as four different players scored two goals each, and 16 different Buckeyes tallied at least one point in the game.

On the season, Kyle Olson leads the team with 18 points (14 goals, four assists), while Ben Wolff is right behind with 17 points (14 goals, three assists). Eric O’Brien, the face-off specialist for the Buckeyes, has a team-high 56 ground balls, and ranks third in the GWLL with 6.22 per contest. O’Brien also ranks third in the league in face-off percentage, winning 89 of 155 (.574).


How They Rate...
In the latest NCAA statistical reports, Ohio State ranks 12th in the country in face-off percentage (.585), 13th in man-up offense (.353) and 19th in scoring offense (10.0).

The Buckeyes also have individuals rated in two categories. Eric O’Brien ranks 11th in ground balls per game (6.22), while Mike Rimmer is 18th in save percentage at .584.


In the Series...
The Falcons hold a 9-10 all-time record against Ohio State, but have lost seven in a row to the Buckeyes. The last Air Force victory was a 14-13 win in 1997.


Last Year vs. Ohio State...
The Falcons struggled offensively against the eighth-ranked Buckeyes last season, dropping a 9-2 decision to the host team. Junior D.J. Benzing and senior William Keleher scored the lone goals for Air Force in the game.


AF In The GWLL Rankings...
In the latest rankings released by the GWLL on April 19, several Falcons are rated among the league’s leaders in various statistical categories.

Junior goalkeeper Justin Pavoni remains the league leader in ground balls per game with 7.67, while also leading the conference in saves with 12.22 pg. Sophomore Will Meister ranks second in the GWLL in both assists (1.89) and points (3.22) per game. In goals per game, sophomore Conrad Lochocki is third with 2.33, while senior co-captain D.J. Benzing ranks third in assists per game with 1.22.


Sayonara, Seniors...
Sunday’s game versus Ohio State marks the final home appearance for five Air Force seniors—co-captains D.J. Benzing and Tim Hade, along with Jared Brush, Jeffrey Jablonski and Michael Kennedy. The seniors, along with their parents, will be honored in a brief ceremony prior to the noon contest.


Up Next...
The Falcons conclude their season next Saturday, April 30, as they travel to intra-state rival Denver in GWLL action. The contest is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m. at Barton Lacrosse Stadium.

Pioneers Cruise Past Regis, 19-3 - Eight different Pioneers score in victory

WOMEN’S LACROSSE NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Pioneers Cruise Past Regis, 19-3 - Eight different Pioneers score in victory

DENVER – Senior Crystal Jack (Kingwood, Texas) and junior Steph Greenlees (Lake Forest, Ill.) combined for 11 goals as the University of Denver women’s lacrosse team crushed Regis University, 19-3, on Tuesday, April 12 at Peter Barton Stadium. The Pioneers’ second consecutive victory improves them to 4-10. The Rangers fall to 1-5.

Jack’s six goals paced Denver. Greenless scored five times and sophomore Kate Broderick (Chantilly, Va.) and freshman Megan Tyrie (Littleton, Colo.) each found the back of the net twice. Freshman Kelly O’Connell (Baltimore, Md.), senior Ryan Crowley (Sudbury, Mass.), freshman Victoria Baines (Parker, Colo.) and freshman Kiley Murphy (Wilton, Conn.) each tallied one goal for Denver.

Jack scored the game’s first three goals and teammates Greenlees and Broderick followed to give Denver a 5-0 lead at 11:21. Chrissy Yetter stopped the Pioneers’ run at the 12:44 mark.

Greenlees scored twice and O’Connell once, to put Denver up 8-1 at 17:48. Regis’ Caroline Herter scored her first of two goals at 18:26 to make the score 8-2.

The Pioneers would run off the game’s next nine goals to put the game out of reach at 17-2 with 20 minutes remaining. Regis would score once and Denver twice to end the game.

Denver outshot Regis, 52-8. Greenlees led the way with 15. The Pioneers also finished the game with a 44-10 advantage in groudballs. Junior Tanya Fuchs (Bay Shore, N.Y.) tallied a game-best 10. She also had four assists.

Senior goalkeeper Steph Schneider (Leesburg, Va.) and freshman Becky Childs (Phoenix, Md.) combined to make five saves for Denver. Jen Ledford registered 20 for the Rangers.

The Pioneers return to action on Sunday, April 17, when they travel to Palo Alto, Calif. to battle Mountain Pacific Sports Federation foe Stanford at 2 p.m. MT.

- www.DenverPioneers.com -

The Air Force lacrosse team (3-5) wraps up its five-game road swing Wednesday, April 13

The Air Force lacrosse team (3-5) wraps up its five-game road swing Wednesday, April 13, as it travels to Chapel Hill, N.C., to face North Carolina in its final non-conference tilt of the season. The game is slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. (ET) at Fetzer Field.


Last Time Out…
The Falcons made a fourth-quarter comeback against 11th-ranked Notre Dame to force overtime, but fell short in their quest for the upset, falling 14-13 in GWLL action Saturday.

Air Force led early in the contest, but a six-goal second-quarter gave the Fighting Irish an 8-6 lead at halftime. The Falcons came back to tie the score four times in the second half before Notre Dame pushed ahead to a 13-11 fourth-quarter advantage. Air Force responded with a pair of man-up goals to tie the game at 13-13, sending the game into overtime.

Despite having chances to win in overtime, the Falcons could not overcome the offense of Notre Dame senior Brian Giordano, who scored his fifth goal of the contest with 1:18 remaining in overtime to seal the Irish victory.

Freshman Kevin Crumrine led the Falcon offense with five goals and two assists, while sophomore Conrad Lochocki added three goals and two assists.The Falcons’ defensive effort was led by goalkeeper Justin Pavoni who recorded 19 saves and six ground balls, while Tim Hade picked up seven ground balls on close defense. In addition, defender Jared Brush was able to keep Jim Morrison, Notre Dame’s leading goal-getter, without a goal in the contest.


Scouting the Tar Heels...
North Carolina enters Wednesday’s contest with a 2-7 overall record after falling to third-ranked Virginia, 15-9, on Saturday.

The Cavaliers, who are 8-1 on the season, rolled out to a 10-4 halftime lead before the Tar Heels cut the margin to 11-9 late in the third quarter. However, Virginia scored the last four goals of the game to capture the victory.

Leading the way for North Carolina against the Cavaliers was Ryan Blair with three goals and three assists, while Jed Prossner added a goal and three assists. On the season, Blair leads the team in both points (32) and assists (20), while Prossner has a team-high 22 goals. Goalkeeper Paul Spellman has recorded 94 saves in nine starts for the Tar Heels, and holds a 9.98 goals against average.


How We Rate...
In the latest edition of national statistics released by the NCAA (through games on April 10), Air Force goalkeeper Justin Pavoni ranks fourth in the nation in ground balls with 7.13 per game.

Meanwhile, sophomore attackmen Will Meister and Conrad Lochocki are also in the national rankings,. Meister is rated ninth in the country in assists per game with 2.0, while Lochocki is 20th in goals per game with 2.38.

As a team, the Falcons, who were 4-of-4 on extra-man opportunities against Notre Dame, rank 18th in the nation in man-up offense at .353.


How They Rate...
In the latest NCAA statistical reports, North Carolina ranks third in the nation in man-up offense with a percentage of .472.

The Tar Heels also have individuals rated in three categories. Ryan Blair ranks fifth in the nation in assists per game with 2.22 and is 16th in points per contest at 3.56. In addition, Jed Prossner ranks 15th in goals per game with 2.44.


In the Series...
The Falcons are 0-7 all-time against Notrth Carolina. The two teams last met a year ago, when the ninth-ranked Tar Heels captured a narrow 10-9 victory .


Last Year vs. North Carolina...
Air Force was able to take a 9-7 fourth-quarter lead over the visiting Tar Heels last season, but surrendered three goals in the final period to drop the 10-9 decision to ninth-ranked North Carolina. Senior Michael Colosimo led the Falcon offense with three goals, while goalkeeper Justin Pavoni tallied 18 saves in the loss.


Three is the Magic Number...
Sophomore Conrad Lochocki, who leads the team with 19 goals on the season, has scored three goals in each of the Falcons’ last four games. Lochocki, who saw action in just two games last season and did not score any points, has scored in seven of eight contests this year. He has also scored at least three goals in four of those games, his best a five-goal output in the season opener at VMI.


Going Into OT...
Sunday’s overtime contest against Notre Dame was the Falcons’ first of the season. Air Force is 7-8 all-time in overtime games, and has lost its last four games when going into extra periods. The last overtime win for the Falcons was a 9-8 overtime victory against Providence in 2001.


Up Next...
Air Force returns to Colorado next week for its final two home games, as it hosts Butler and Ohio State in GWLL action. The Falcons take on Butler on Thursday, April 22 at 3:00 p.m., before facing Ohio State on Saturday, April 24 at noon.

Falcons Drop Overtime Thriller To No. 11 Notre Dame, 14-13

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

April 10, 2005

Falcons Drop Overtime Thriller To No. 11 Notre Dame, 14-13

South Bend, Ind. – A huge second period for the home team proved to be the difference, as the Air Force lacrosse team fell short in its quest for the upset of 11th-ranked Notre Dame, losing to the Fighting Irish 14-13 in overtime Sunday afternoon at Moose Krause Stadium. The Falcons drop to 3-5 on the season, 0-2 in the GWLL, while Notre Dame improves to 6-3, 2-1 in the league.

The Falcons, who suffered a 12-2 loss to the Irish last season, got out of the gates quickly, scoring less than a minute into the game as freshman Kevin Crumrine (Edgewater, Md.) found the back of the net off an assist by senior D.J. Benzing (Severna Park, Md.). More than halfway through the first period, Air Force’s advantage increased to 3-0 as senior defender Jared Brush (Nesconset, N.Y.) tallied his first score of the season. However, Notre Dame got on the board just six seconds later as Taylor Clagett, one of the top face-off specialists in the country, scored directly off the face-off. After another Air Force goal upped the score to 4-1, Notre Dame’s Brian Giordano scored his first goal of the day with just three seconds remaining in the first period.

The two teams traded the first few scores in the second period, with the Falcons taking a 6-3 lead as Jeffrey Jablonski (Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded his first career goal at the eight-minute mark. However, it was all Notre Dame for the remainder of the half, as the Irish scored five unanswered, including three by Giordano, to go into intermission with an 8-6 advantage.

Air Force scored the first two goals in the third quarter, including a man-up tally by sophomore Conrad Lochocki (Chalfont, Pa.), to tie the contest at 8-8. The Irish regained their advantage as Pat Walsh notched a man-up goal of his own at the 9:10 mark, but the Falcons responded once more. Both teams traded goals for the remainder of the quarter, with Notre Dame taking a 12-11 going into the final stanza.

The Irish extended their lead to two when Matt Malakoff tallied an unassisted goal with 12:08 on the clock in the fourth period. But the Air Force defense stepped up, holding Notre Dame scoreless for the remainder of regulation. Meanwhile, the Falcons capitalized on both extra-man opportunities they were given in the fourth quarter, tying the game at the 5:31 mark. Neither team could break the stalemate, sending the game into overtime with the score knotted at 13-13.

After Notre Dame was unable to convert on a few shots from close range in overtime, the Falcons had their opportunity to win it, getting a pair of shots on goal. However, Stewart Crosland, who entered the game in the third period, registered two crucial saves for the Irish, helping them regain possession. As a result, Giordano, who had been Notre Dame’s primary offensive weapon in the first half, took an assist from Matt Ryan to notch his fifth goal of the game at the 1:18 mark in overtime, snapping the Irish’s two-game losing skid.

Notre Dame outshot the Falcons 51-36 for the game, holding a 21-4 shot advantage in the decisive second period, and also scooped up 57 ground balls to Air Force’s 38. Meanwhile, the Falcons converted on all four extra-man opportunities, as the Irish had just one chance to score a man-up goal.

Junior goalkeeper Justin Pavoni (Park City, Utah) was outstanding between the pipes for the Falcons, tallying 19 saves, including seven in the second quarter, and adding six ground balls. Meanwhile, senior co-captain Tim Hade (Franklin Lake, N.J.) was also exceptional on defense, picking up seven ground balls in the contest, while Brush kept the Irish’s leading goal-getter, Jim Morrison, without a single goal.

Crumrine led the Falcons with seven points on a career-high five goals with two assists, while Lochocki notched his fourth-consecutive hat trick, scoring three goals and two assists. Justin Kuchta (So., Ridgefield, Conn.) tallied three points on two goals and an assist, Will Meister (Denver, Colo.) notched a goal and two assists and Benzing dished out a team-high three assists in the contest.

In addition to Giordano’s five goals, Malakoff scored three goals and an assist, while Walsh scored two goals. Crosland recorded seven saves in just over 22 minutes of action in goal, while starting goalkeeper Joey Kemp, who entered the contest ranked second in the nation in save percentage, recorded five saves with 10 goals against.

The Falcons wrap up their five-game road swing Wednesday, April 13, as they head to Chapel Hill, N.C., to face North Carolina. Game time is slated for 4:00 p.m. (ET) at Fetzer Field.

#11 Notre Dame 14, Air Force 13 (OT)
Air Force Scoring: Goals: Kevin Crumrine 5, Conrad Lochocki 3, Justin Kuchta 2, Will Meister, Jeffrey Jablonski, Jared Brush. Assists: D.J. Benzing 3, Kevin Crumrine 2, Conrad Lochocki 2, Will Meister 2, Justin Kuchta.
Notre Dame Scoring: Goals: Brian Giordano 5, Matt Malakoff 3, Pat Walsh 2, Colin Fatti, Drew Peters, Taylor Clagett, Ryan Cunn. Assists: Matt Karweck 2, Matt Malakoff, Jim Morrison, Michael Podgajny, Matt Ryan.

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Four Pioneers Tally Hat Tricks as Denver Sails - Pioneers pound Saint Mary’s College, 16-2

WOMEN’S LACROSSE NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, April 9, 2005

Four Pioneers Tally Hat Tricks as Denver Sails - Pioneers pound Saint Mary’s College, 16-2

DENVER – Four different Pioneers tallied hat tricks as the University of Denver women’s lacrosse team sailed to a 16-2 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation victory over the Saint Mary’s College Gaels on Saturday, April 9 at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. The win improves Denver’s record to 3-10 overall and 2-1 in the MPSF. The Gaels fall to 1-10, 0-4.

Senior Crystal Jack (Kingwood, Texas) had a game-high four goals while junior Tanya Fuchs (Bay Shore, N.Y.), senior Tara Bourdelaise (Grambrills, Md.) and junior Steph Greenlees (Lake Forest, Ill.) scored three apiece.

SMC’s Ally High scored the game’s first goal six minutes into the contest. Greenlees, freshman Megan Tyrie (Littleton, Colo.) and Jack (three goals) all scored for the Pioneers to give Denver a 5-1 lead at 18:24. Jessica Tsou scored the Gael’s second and final goal at 27:08.

The Pioneer dominated the rest of the contest as Greenlees (twice) and Fuchs scored in the closing minutes of the half to give Denver an 8-2 advantage.

Denver scored eight goals in the second half as Fuchs (twice), freshman Kelly O’Connell (Baltimore, Md.), Bourdelaise (three times), Jack and senior Ryan Crowley (Sudbury, Mass.) all scored for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers’ defense caused 25 Saint Mary’s College turnovers and limited the Gaels to only 10 shots and two goals. SMC did not score in the second half.

Senior goalkeeper Steph Schneider (Leesburg, Va.) made seven saves as Denver outshot SMC, 52-10. Katie Augustine made 26 saves in the cage for the Gaels.

The Pioneers return to action on Tuesday, April 12, when they host Regis at 4 p.m. at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.

- www.DenverPioneers.com -

The Air Force lacrosse team (3-4, 0-1) returns to GWLL action this weekend as it travels to 11th-ranked Notre Dame

The Air Force lacrosse team (3-4, 0-1) returns to GWLL action this weekend as it travels to 11th-ranked Notre Dame on Sunday, April 10. The game, which will be televised on tape delay by Comcast Local in South Bend and throughout the state of Michigan, is slated to begin at 12:00 p.m. (11:00 a.m. MT) at Moose Krause Stadium.


Last Time Out…
The Falcons remained winless against service academy rival Army, falling to the Black Knights, 12-8, last weekend at West Point.

Army rolled out to a big 7-1 lead in the first half, but Air Force came storming back, going on a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to one point. However, the Black Knights extended their advantage back to three by the beginning of the fourth period and fought off the Falcons for the four-point victory.

Sophomore Conrad Lochocki scored three goals for the Falcons, including two within 32 seconds to bring the score to 7-6. Meanwhile, freshman Kevin Crumrine added two goals and an assist. Goalkeeper Justin Pavoni also had a solid performance between the pipes, notching 14 saves and four ground balls.


Scouting the Fighting Irish...
Notre Dame, ranked 11th in the latest USILA coaches poll, fell to 5-2 on the season after falling 10-9 to then-No. 19 Dartmouth on Saturday.

Dartmouth broke an 8-8 tie with a pair of goals in the final three minutes, and a Notre Dame score with 19 seconds remaining was not enough to prevent the upset of the Irish, then ranked ninth in the country. Pat Walsh, Matt Ryan and Jim Morrison each had two goals each to lead Notre Dame, while Joey Kemp registered 23 saves.

On the season, Walsh leads the team with 34 points (16 goals and a team-high 18 assists), while Morrison paces the Irish with 22 goals on the season.

The Fighting Irish will host fellow GWLL-opponent Denver on Thursday before taking on the Falcons Sunday.


How We Rate...
In the latest edition of national statistics released by the NCAA (through games on April 5), Air Force goalkeeper Justin Pavoni is ranked second in the nation in ground balls with 7.29 per game, trailing only Alex Smith of Delaware.

Meanwhile, sophomore attackman Will Meister is also in the national rankings, rated 12th in the country in assists per game with 2.0.


How They Rate...
In the latest NCAA statistical reports, Notre Dame is ranked among the nation’s leaders in several categories, both as a team and individually. The Fighting Irish currently lead the country in man-up offense at .500. Notre Dame is also fourth in scoring offense (12.0), fifth in scoring margin (4.14), seventh in face-off win percentage (.596), ninth in defense (6.17) and 18th in scoring defense (7.86).

Meanwhile, freshman goalkeeper Joey Kemp is second in save percentage at .664 and 12th in goals against average (7.42). Pat Walsh ranks third in both points per game (4.86) and assists per game (2.57), while Jim Morrison is rated fourth in goals per contest with 2.86.Rounding out the group of Irishmen in the national rankings is Taylor Clagett, who is eighth with a .628 face-off win percentage and ranks 13th in ground balls with 5.29 per game.


In the Series...
The Falcons are 4-16 all-time against Notre Dame. Air Force has not defeated the Fighting Irish since 1988, when it notched a 14-8 victory.


Last Year vs. Notre Dame...
The Air Force offense struggled mightily against the Fighting Irish last season, as the Falcons fell, 12-2, at home to open the 2004 GWLL slate. Freshman Justin Kuchta scored both Air Force goals, while Justin Pavoni, facing 40 shots by the Irish, recorded 16 saves in the loss.


Three is the Magic Number...
Sophomore Conrad Lochocki, who leads the team with 16 goals on the season, has scored three goals in each of the Falcons’ last three games. Lochocki, who saw action in just two games last season and did not score any points, has scored in six of seven contests this year. He has also scored at least three goals in four of those games, his best a five-goal output in the season opener at VMI.


AF In The GWLL Rankings...
In the latest rankings released by the GWLL on April 5, several Falcons are rated among the league’s leaders in various statistical categories.

Junior goalkeeper Justin Pavoni remains the league leader in ground balls per game with 7.29, while also leading the conference in saves with 11.14 pg. Meanwhile, Air Force’s sophomore trio of Will Meister, Justin Kuchta and Conrad Lochocki all find themselves rated among the league’s offensive leaders. Meister ranks second in the GWLL in both assists (2.0) and points (3.43) per game. Kuchta is fifth in the league in goals (1.86 pg), is tied for fourth in assists (1.14 pg) and is fifth in points (3.0pg), while Lochocki is tied for third in goals per game with 2.29.


Up Next...
Air Force wraps up its five-game road swing in Chapel Hill, N.C., where it will face North Carolina on April 13. Game time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. (ET) at Fetzer Field.

Stanford Takes Rival California

Stanford Takes Rival California
STANFORD traveled to Vanderbilt where they lost a close one 9-10. They came home to take their rivals CALIFORNIA in a thrilling 11-10 victory. Senior Nina Pantano scored three goals and sophomore Michelle DeChant tallied the game winning goal with just over seven minutes remaining. California held a late 10-9 lead over Stanford but allowed two goals to lose 11-10, to the host Cardinal. Junior Leanne Zilioli and sophomore Laura Cavallo scored two goals apiece to lead the Golden Bears. UC DAVIS captured a 9-7 away win over St. Josephs. Sophomore attacker Katie McMahon scored three goals and assisted on the game-winner as UC Davis overcame a 5-3 halftime deficit. DENVER ended a seven-game skid with an 11-9 win at American University. Junior Steph Greenlees scored five goals in the win. The Pioneer dropped a 9-7 decision at George Washington University. Senior goalkeeper Steph Schneider made 17 saves in the cage in the loss. OREGON lost on the road to No. 3 North Carolina 21-8. One day later, looking for its first road win of the season, Oregon scored 12 unanswered goals to begin the game as the Ducks eventually demolished Davidson 16-6.. Nine Ducks scored in the game. ST MARY’S posted a non-conference road loss to Duquesne 2-19.

Jen May & Stephanie Greenlees Share MPSF Player Of The Week Honors

Jen May & Stephanie Greenlees Share MPSF Player Of The Week Honors
WOODLAND, Calif.. – Oregon’s freshman midfielder Jen May scored a combined five goals in a 16-6 win over Davidson and two more in a 21-8 loss to No. 3-ranked North Carolina.. Against North Carolina, she had two goals, two ground balls, three draw controls and three caused turnovers. Denver’s Junior Midfielder Steph Greenlees scored five goals, including the game winner in a 11-9 win at American. She recorded her fourth consecutive hat trick in the 7-9 George Washington loss.
Also nominated: Laura Cavallo, sophomore, California.

Schneider’s 17 saves not enough - Pioneers drop 9-7 decision to Colonials

WOMEN’S LACROSSE NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, April 3, 2005

Schneider’s 17 saves not enough - Pioneers drop 9-7 decision to Colonials

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Three goals by junior Steph Greenlees (Lake Forest, Ill.) and 17 saves by senior goalkeeper Steph Schneider (Leesburg, Va.) were not enough as the University of Denver women’s lacrosse team (2-10) dropped a 9-7 decision to George Washington University (6-2) on Sunday, April 3 at the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex.

GW’s Laura Hostetler notched a game-high six goals.

Hostetler scored GW's first three goals of the contest as the Colonials grabbed a 3-1 lead at the 5:04 mark. Consecutive free-position scores by sophomore Kate Broderick (Chantilly, Va.) tied the game, and the Pioneers took the lead on an unassisted goal by senior Crystal Jack (Kingwood, Texas) at 13:08. The Colonials’ Annie Howley knotted the match at four apiece with an unassisted tally at 19:23, and each team scored once in the final 5:08 to head into the locker room tied, 5-5.

Hostetler tickled the twine twice in the first five minutes of the second half to put GW ahead, 7-5. Greenlees brought Denver within one with an unassisted goal at 35:48, but Hostetler's final marker of the afternoon put the Colonials back in front by two, 8-6, at the 44:24 mark. The Pioneers drew within one again when freshman Caroline Muldoon (Lafayette, Pa.) batted a loose ball past GW goaltender Caitlin Garman with 12:34 left on the clock and Denver had a chance to tie the match in the final minutes, but Garman stopped Jack from point-blank range with 2:30 to play giving the Colonials possession of the ball. GW cleared successfully and spread the field, holding the ball as time wound down, until GW’s Jenny Howley fed Katelyn Honeyford for her second career goal with eight seconds remaining to secure the triumph.

Greenlees paced Denver with three goals and also added three draw controls. Broderick notched a ground ball and a draw control to go along with her two scores. Schneider made 17 saves in the cage for the Pioneers.

The Colonials held the edge in shots, 34-18, including outshooting the Pioneers, 20-6, in the first half. Denver owned the advantage in draw controls, 12-6.

The Pioneers finally return home on Saturday, April 9. Denver will host Mountain Pacific Sports Federation foe Saint Mary’s at 1 p.m. at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.

- www.DenverPioneers.com -

Air Force Unable To Get Past No. 5 Army

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

April 2, 2005

Air Force Unable To Get Past No. 5 Army

West Point, N.Y. – Despite rallying back from a 7-1 first-half deficit, the Air Force lacrosse team was unable to pull off the upset against fifth-ranked Army, falling 12-8 to the Black Knights Saturday afternoon at rain-soaked Michie Stadium. The loss drops the Falcons to 3-4 on the season, while Army improves to 7-1.

The Falcons struggled mightily against the Black Knights early in the game, as Army rolled out to a 7-1 lead by the 10:26 mark of the second quarter. However, an unassisted goal by sophomore Justin Kuchta (Ridgefield, Conn.) with 7:46 remaining in the first half sparked a 5-0 Air Force run, which included a score by junior John Smith (Merion, Pa.) that cut the margin to 7-3 at the half. Sophomore Will Meister (Denver, Colo.) then opened up the third period with his only goal of the day, while Conrad Lochocki (So., Chalfont, Pa.) tallied two scores in a span of less than 30 seconds. Suddenly, the Falcons were down just one goal with 9:22 on the clock in the third period.

However, that was as close as the Falcons would get, as Army ended the quarter with two goals to go into the final period with a 9-6 advantage. A man-down goal by Chris Larsen nearly four minutes into the fourth quarter pushed the Black Knights’ lead back to four. Air Force freshman Kevin Crumrine (Edgewater, Md.) responded with a pair of goals just 29 seconds apart to give the Falcons a chance, but John Walker, who tallied five total goals for Army in the game, scored two more in the last five minutes to seal the win for the Black Knights.

Once again, the Falcons were hurt by their inability to control face-offs, winning just 7-of-21 in the game and just 2-of-10 in the second half. Meanwhile, Army also had a distinct ground ball advantage, grabbing 45 loose balls to Air Force’s 27. However, the Falcons did manage to outshoot the Black Knights 23-14 in the second half, after giving up a 23-10 advantage to open the game.

Lochocki led the Falcons with three goals on the day, while Crumrine added two goals and an assist. Meister and Kuchta each notched a goal and an assist apiece, while senior co-captain D.J. Benzing (Sr., Severna Park, Md.) contributed a team-high two assists. Goalkeeper Justin Pavoni (Jr., Park City, Utah) gave a valiant effort, tallying 14 saves and four ground balls in the defeat.

For the Army, Walker led the team with seven points, adding two assists to his five goals, while Jim Wager and Larsen notched two goals each. Matt Scheel added four assists for the Black Knights and Adam Fullerton recorded a career-best 13 saves between the pipes.

Air Force returns to action for its fourth-straight road contest next week as it heads to South Bend, Ind., to face GWLL-foe Notre Dame. Game time is slated for 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 10 at Moose Krause Stadium.


Army 12, Air Force 8
Air Force Scoring: Goals: Conrad Lochocki 3, Kevin Crumrine 2, Justin Kuchta, Will Meister, John Smith. Assists: D.J. Benzing 2, Kevin Crumrine, Justin Kuchta, Will Meister.
Army Scoring: Goals: John Walker 5, Jim Wagner 2, Chris Larsen 2, Mike Obringer, Brian Green, Matt Luyster. Assists: Matt Scheel 4, John Walker 2.

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Steph Greenlees’ Five Goals Spur Pioneers to Victory - Denver ends seven-game skid with 11-9 win at American

WOMEN’S LACROSSE NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 1, 2005

Steph Greenlees’ Five Goals Spur Pioneers to Victory - Denver ends seven-game skid with 11-9 win at American

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Junior Steph Greenlees (Lake Forest, Ill.) scored five goals to lead the University of Denver women’s lacrosse team to an 11-9 victory over American University on Friday afternoon at Reeves Field. The win ends Denver’s seven-game skid and improves the Pioneers to 2-9. The Eagles fall to 4-6.

Freshman Megan Tyrie (Littleton, Colo.) scored the game’s first goal, giving Denver an early 1-0 advantage. American responded just a minute later, but goals from Greenlees and sophomore Kate Broderick (Chantilly, Va.) put the Pioneers up 3-1 with 18 minutes remaining in the first half.

The Eagles netted the game’s next goal to pull within one at 3-2. Greenlees put on a display of the next 10 minutes, tallying three consecutive scores to give Denver a 6-2 halftime lead.

American’s Lauren Aksionoff opened the second stanza with a goal, cutting the Pioneers’ advantage to three. Broderick, senior Tara Bourdelaise (Grambrills, Md.) and freshman Victoria Baines (Parker, Colo.) almost put the game out of reach by registering the game’s next three goals.

Rebecca Copeland and the rest of the Eagles would not go away quietly however. Copeland scored four times in the game’s final 19 minutes as American attempted a monumental comeback.

Goals from Greenlees, her fifth of the day, and senior Crystal Jack (Kingwood, Texas) down the stretch put Denver up 11-5 with 11:34 remaining. The Eagles would score the game’s final four goals, but ran out of time as the Pioneers held on for an 11-9 victory.

Greenlees and Broderick led Denver with five and two goals, respectively. Broderick and Bourdelaise each had two assists for the Pioneers. Senior goalkeeper Steph Schneider (Leesburg, Va.) made three saves as Denver outshot American, 28-17.

Copeland (4), Aksionoff (2) and Sarah Milewski (2) paced the Eagles. Kathleen Finnegan stopped 11 Pioneer shots.

The Pioneers will look for their second consecutive win on Sunday, April 3 when they faceoff against George Washington in Washington, D.C. at 10 a.m. MT.

- www.DenverPioneers.com -