Air Force Registers 8-4 Win Over Quinnipiac In GWLL Opener

Air Force Registers 8-4 Win Over Quinnipiac In GWLL Opener

USAFA, Colo. - Using a tough defensive effort to post a second-half shutout, the Air Force lacrosse team picked up an 8-4 victory over league newcomer Quinnipiac Friday afternoon at Cadet Lacrosse Stadium. The Falcons improve to 5-5 on the season, 1-0 in the GWLL, while the Bobcats fall to 5-3, 0-2 in the conference.

Quinnipiac took an early 1-0 lead as Eric Trama scored on the assist from Eddie Morley, but a goal by Air Force freshman Griffin Nevitt (Charlotte, N.C.) tied the game with just over eight and a half minutes remaining in the first period. Neither team was able to score again until the Bobcats’ Sean McBride opened the second period with his first goal of the game, and an unassisted score by Morley at the 12:40 mark of the second period gave Quinnipiac the 3-1 advantage.

However, Air Force was not ready to give up, getting an unassisted goal from junior Justin Kuchta (Ridgefield, Conn.) two minutes later. With less than five minutes to play in the half, sophomore Chris Tubesing (Centreville, Va.) was able to score on a tough angle to tie the game once more, and junior Conrad Lochocki (Chalfont, Pa.) scored his first goal of the game on an assist from sophomore Peter Krasco (Medford, Mass.) to cap off the 3-0 Falcon run. Then, with just 1:08 remaining before intermission, McBride scored his second goal of the contest for Quinnipiac, leaving the score tied at 4-4 at the break.

Although the Bobcats won the opening face-off in the third period, an early turnover led to an unassisted goal for Air Force junior Will Meister (Denver, Colo.), who scooped up the loose ball and was able to get off a quick shot. The Falcons never looked back, scoring two more unanswered goals in the period, and the lone goal in the fourth quarter.

Falcon goalkeeper Justin Pavoni (Sr., Park City, Utah) was impressive in the winning effort, finishing with 14 saves, including seven in the fourth period, and six ground balls, while allowing just four goals against. Air Force also won 10-of-16 face-offs in the game, led by junior Kyle O’Neill (Portsmouth, R.I.), who won 6-of-8 face-offs taken. Although the Falcons committed 27 turnovers to just 15 for the Bobcats, they did hold an edge on ground balls (38 to 31) and outshot Quinnipiac 33-26.

Leading the Falcon offense was Lochocki, who finished with two goals and two assists, while Nevitt added two goals. Meister and Kuchta each tallied a goal and an assist, while Kevin Crumrine (So., Edgewater, Md.) also scored a goal for Air Force. For the Bobcats, McBride led the team with his two goals, while Trama and Morley each added a goal and an assist.

The Falcons are back in action on Sunday, April 9, when they host non-conference foe Bellarmine at 1:00 p.m.

Air Force 8, Quinnipiac 4
Quinnipiac Scoring: Goals: Sean McBride 2, Eric Trama, Eddie Morley. Assists: Jon D’Ascoli, Eddie Morley, Eric Trama.
Air Force Scoring: Goals: Conrad Lochocki 2, Griffin Nevitt 2, Will Meister, Justin Kuchta, Kevin Crumrine, Chris Tubesing. Assists: Conrad Lochocki 2, Peter Krasco, Justin Kuchta, Will Meister.