Air Force Knocks Off 16th-Ranked Dartmouth, 13-8

Air Force Knocks Off 16th-Ranked Dartmouth, 13-8



Ridgefield, Conn. - Led by an outstanding offensive output by a freshman and a spectacular defensive effort by a senior, the Air Force lacrosse team never trailed in a 13-8 win over No. 15 Dartmouth Saturday afternoon at Ridgefield High School. The Falcons improve to 3-4 on the season with its third-straight victory, while the Big Green falls to 3-2.



Falcon freshman Griffin Nevitt (Charlotte, N.C.) got on board early with a score at 13:41 in the first quarter, but Dartmouth responded a minute later with Jamie Coffin's first goal of the game. However, Air Force closed the opening period with a goal from sophomore Kevin Crumrine (Edgewater, Md.) on the assist from Nevitt, and the Falcons never looked back.



Outscoring Dartmouth 4-2 in the second period to take a 6-3 lead at the half, Air Force's offense exploded for a 5-2 advantage in the third quarter. Though the Big Green did have the edge, 3-2, in the final period, it was not enough to fight off Air Force's bid for the upset.



The Falcons held a 39-31 advantage on ground balls, and won half of their face-offs, with Kyle O'Neill (Jr., Portsmouth, R.I.) and John Smith (Sr., Marion, Pa.) splitting face-off duties. Dartmouth did outshoot Air Force, 37-35.



"Our offense and defense came together very well to get the win today," said Air Force head coach Fred Acee. "Justin Pavoni was especially outstanding in goal for us."



Pavoni (Sr., Park City, Utah) finished the contest with 21 saves to lead the Falcons' defense against Dartmouth, which has averaged 13 goals in its first four games of the season. Meanwhile, Nevitt anchored the Air Force offense with four goals and an assist, while junior tri-captain Will Meister (Denver, Colo.) added three goals and two assists. Also scoring for the Falcons were junior Conrad Lochocki (Chalfont, Pa.) with three goals and an assist, Crumrine with a goal and a team-high three assists, Ridgefield native Justin Kuchta with a goal and freshman Brian Massa (Jamesville, N.Y.), with his first collegiate goal. In addition, senior tri-captain Max Miller (Dublin, Ohio) added an assist in the winning effort for the Falcons.



For the Big Green, Coffin led the way with two goals and four assists, while Brian Koch added two goals and an assist.



The Falcons are back in action next Saturday, March 25, when they return home to host St. John's in non-conference action. The game is slated to begin at 12:00 p.m. at Cadet Lacrosse Stadium.



Air Force 13, Dartmouth 8

Dartmouth Scoring: Goals: Jamie Coffin 2, Brian Koch 2, Alec Hufnagel 2, Nick Bonacci, Luke Antal. Assists: Jamie Coffin 4, Brian Koch, Nick Bonacci.

Air Force Scoring: Goals: Griffin Nevitt 4, Will Meister 3, Conrad Lochocki 3, Kevin Crumrine, Justin Kuchta, Brian Massa. Assists: Kevin Crumrine 3, Will Meister 2, Griffin Nevitt, Conrad Lochocki, Max Miller.