Air Force Falls To Manhattan, 5-4, At Pioneer Face-Off Classic (2/26/06)

Air Force Falls To Manhattan, 5-4, At Pioneer Face-Off Classic

Denver, Colo. - Giving up the game-winning goal with just four seconds remaining, the Air Force lacrosse team lost a 5-4 decision to Manhattan on day two of the Pioneer Face-Off Classic, hosted by Denver. The Falcons fall to 0-2 on the season with the loss, while the Jaspers move to 1-1.

Air Force looked to be in control early on, taking a 3-0 lead at the half with a trio of scores by Max Miller (Sr., Dublin, Ohio), Kevin Crumrine (So., Edgewater, Md.) and Justin Kuchta (Jr., Ridgefield, Conn.). However, Manhattan regrouped in the second half, scoring four unanswered goals to go on top 4-3 with 7:17 remaining in regulation.

Neither team was able to score for most of the remainder of the period, before Crumrine notched an unassisted score with just 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 4-4. Air Force won the ensuing face-off, but a turnover gave the Jaspers the ball, and with just four seconds left in the contest, Brian Murray recorded his fourth goal of the game to give Manhattan the 5-4 victory.

The Falcons dominated several facets of the game, outshooting the Jaspers 32-15, scooping up 37 ground balls to 27 for Manhattan and winning 9-of-13 face-offs. However, John Geagans was impressive between the pipes for the Jaspers, getting 14 saves on the afternoon.

Kuchta led the Falcons with three points on the afternoon, adding two assists to his one goal, while Crumrine notched two goals. Also adding an assist for Air Force was junior Michael Weber (Wantagh, N.Y.). For the Jaspers, Murray led the team with four goals, while Greg Lewis added a goal and an assist.

Two Air Force players were named to the All-Pioneer Face-Off Classic Team for their performance on the weekend. Freshman Griffin Nevitt (Charlotte, N.C.) was one of three midfielders named to the all-tournament team, while senior Daniel Breiding (Pittsburgh, Pa.) was an all-tournament defender.

The Falcons return to action next Saturday, March 4, when they travel to Baltimore, Md., to take on UMBC in a 12:00 p.m. (ET) contest.

Manhattan 5, Air Force 4
Manhattan Scoring: Goals: Brian Murray 4, Greg Lewis. Assists: Nick Crowley, Greg Lewis, Jeremy Marrano, Rob Sitar.
Air Force Scoring: Goals: Kevin Crumrine 2, Justin Kuchta, Max Miller. Assists: Justin Kuchta 2, Michael Weber.

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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)