Falcons Drop 9-5 Decision To UMBC

March 4, 2006



Falcons Drop 9-5 Decision To UMBC



Baltimore, Md. - 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.



The UMBC offense dominated for most of the game, as the Retrievers outshot Air Force 34-22, including a tally of 33-9 in the first three periods. As a result, UMBC was able to roll out to a 5-0 lead before sophomore Kevin Crumrine (Edgewater, Md.) capitalized on the feed by Will Meister (Jr., Denver, Colo.) just before intermission to put the Falcons on the board.



After the break, the Retrievers kept firing, extending their advantage to 7-1. Griffin Nevitt (Fr., Charlotte, N.C.) was next to score for Air Force, this time finding the net at the 8:54 mark in the third quarter on an assist by Conrad Lochocki (Jr., Chalfont, Pa.), but UMBC closed out the period with two more scores.



In the final period, the Falcons were able to outshoot the Retrievers for the first time in the game, getting a 13-1 advantage. It paid off, as Air Force scored three unanswered goals in the fourth quarter, with a pair of unassisted goals by Lochocki and Justin Kuchta (Jr., Ridgefield, Conn.) and a man-up goal by senior Max Miller (Dublin, Ohio) on the assist by Lochocki. Unfortunately, it was not enough for the Falcons to overcome their early deficit, as they fell by the final tally of 9-5.



Although UMBC had the major offensive advantage, Air Force did have solid play by its face-off midfielders, as John Smith (Sr., Merion, Pa.) and Kyle O'Neill (Jr., Portsmouth, R.I.) combined to win 12-of-18 face-offs. Goalkeeper Justin Pavoni (Sr., Park City, Utah) was also impressive between the pipes for the Falcons, finishing with 13 saves and eight ground balls in the contest.



While Lochocki led Air Force with a goal and two assists, Drew Westervelt paced the Retrievers with two goals and an assist, while Brenden Mundorf and Terry Kimener each finished with a goal and two assists each. In addition, three UMBC goalkeepers combined for seven saves, paced by four saves by David Coker, who saw action in the final 9:03 of the contest.



The Falcons return to action on Friday, March 10, as they host Sacred Heart in their home opener at Cadet Lacrosse Stadium. Game time is slated for 3:00 p.m.



UMBC 9, Air Force 5

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

UMBC Scoring: Goals: Drew Westervelt 2, Brenden Mundorf, Terry Kimener, Andy Gallagher, Evan Kay, Josh Porcell, Alex Hopmann, James Hyland. Assists: Terry Kimener 2, Brenden Mundorf 2, Andy Gallagher, Drew Westervelt.