Air Force Drops Season Opener, 11-6, To Villanova (2/18/06)

Air Force Drops Season Opener, 11-6, To Villanova

Villanova, Pa. - Unable to win its face-offs or make the most of its extra-man opportunities, the Air Force lacrosse team suffered an 11-6 loss to host Villanova to open the season Saturday at Villanova Stadium.

Villanova scored its first goal just 37 seconds into the game with a man-up goal by Matt Starker. Air Force freshman Griffin Nevitt (Charlotte, N.C.) quickly scored the equalizer off the ensuing face-off, but it was as close as the Falcons would come as the Wildcats rattled off three unanswered scores to take a 4-1 lead with 6:09 remaining in the first quarter. Air Force closed the scoring in the opening stanza with a score by sophomore Kevin Crumrine (Edgewater, Md.), assisted by junior tri-captain Will Meister (Denver, Colo.). However, Villanova responded with four straight scores to go up 8-1 at the 4:58 mark in the third period.

Nevitt notched his second score of the day to end the third period and junior Justin Kuchta (Ridgefield, Conn.) made it two in a row for the Falcons with an unassisted goal at the 13:37 mark in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, Villanova put together its third run of the afternoon, this time scoring three unanswered goals, capped off by another man-up goal with 7:47 remaining in regulation.

Though Air Force scored two late goals, one by Crumrine at 5:33 and the other by Meister with 37 seconds left, it was not enough as the Falcons were on the short end of the final 11-6 tally.

Villanova held a narrow edge in shots, 27-23, and groundballs, 21-18, for the game, but won 14-of-20 face-offs and was able to score on 2-of-6 extra-man opportunities. Meanwhile, Air Force was unable to convert any of its five man-up chances.

While Nevitt and Crumrine notched two goals each for the Falcons, Meister had a goal and an assist, Kuchta added a goal and Peter Krasco (So., Medford, Mass.) and Conrad Lochocki (Jr., Chalfont, Pa.) each tallied an assist. Senior Justin Pavoni (Park City, Utah) recorded nine saves in goal for Air Force. Meanwhile, Starker had four goals and an assist, Chris MacDonald scored two goals and an assist and Matt Panneton added two goals to pace the Wildcats.

The Falcons return to action next weekend, Feb. 25-26, when they head up the road to take part in the Pioneer Face-Off Classic, hosted by Denver. Air Force will take on 15th-ranked North Carolina on Saturday at 11:00 a.m., followed by a meeting with Manhattan on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Villanova 11, Air Force 6
Air Force Scoring: Goals: Griffin Nevitt 2, Kevin Crumrine 2, Will Meister, Justin Kuchta. Assists: Will Meister, Peter Krasco, Conrad Lochocki.
Villanova Scoring: Goals: Matt Starker 4, Chris MacDonald 2, Matt Panneton 2, Chris Mercer, Matthew Fritts, Dan Liva. Assists: Mike Haas, Chris MacDonald, Chris Mercer, Safi Najdawi, Matt Starker, Eric Webber.

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Melissa McKeown
U.S. Air Force Academy
Assistant Athletic Media Relations Director
719.333.9025 (office)
719.333.3798 (fax)
719.331.8321 (cell)