Air Force Drops 9-8 Heartbreaker to Villanova

Air Force Drops 9-8 Heartbreaker to Villanova

Denver, Colo. - Wrapping up its weekend at the Pioneer Face-Off Classic, hosted by Denver, the Air Force lacrosse team dropped a close 9-8 contest to Villanova Sunday afternoon at Barton Lacrosse Stadium. With the loss, the Falcons fall to 1-2 on the year, while Villanova improves to 2-2 on the season.

Air Force was first to get on the board against Villanova with an unassisted goal by sophomore Griffin Nevitt (Charlotte, N.C.) at the 11:28 mark in the opening period. Another score by the Falcons just over 30 seconds later gave Air Force the 2-0 lead. However, the Wildcats scored two unanswered goals to end the period, tying the game at 2-2.

The Falcons regained the lead early in the second quarter with an assist from Nevitt to Justin Kuchta (Sr., Ridgefield, Conn.), while senior Will Meister (Denver, Colo.) scored another goal to give Air Force the 4-2 lead. Again, Villanova closed out the period with two unanswered goals, including a tally with just 28 seconds remaining, to bring the score to 4-4 at the half.

Villanova grabbed its first lead of the game with a score at the 6:42 mark in the third period, but the Falcons came back to tie it up four minutes later, as Meister scored off the assist from Conrad Lochocki (Sr., Chalfont, Pa.).

Nevitt was able to break the third tie of the game with a score just under two minutes into the final period, but with both teams down a man, the Wildcats responded again to tie the game at 6-6. Kuchta and Meister connected to give the Falcons another advantage, but Villanova scored three unanswered goals in the next three and a half minutes, two coming on the power play.

Although Air Force cut their deficit to 9-8 on a man-up goal with just 24 seconds remaining, it could not get another tying score, dropping the one-goal contest.

The Wildcats outshot the Falcons 44-30 for the game and dominated on face-offs, winning 15-of-21 for the game, including 6-of-8 in the decisive final quarter.

Meister had a team-high five points with two goals and three assists, while Nevitt added three goals and an assist for the Falcons. Leading the way for the Wildcats was Tim Atkins with three goals and an assist, all in the second half.

Nevitt, who finished the weekend with eight points (five goals, three assists), represented Air Force on the all-tournament team, along with long-stick midfielder Dan Gnazzo (So., Eden Prairie, Minn.).

The Falcons return to action next weekend, March 10, when they head to San Diego, Calif., to take part in the third-annual First 4. Air Force will face off against Yale in the opening game of the doubleheader, slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. (ET), while Duke and Loyola match up in the second game.

Villanova 9, Air Force 8
Air Force Scoring: Goals: Griffin Nevitt 3, Justin Kuchta 2, Will Meister 2, Kevin Crumrine. Assists: Will Meister 3, Griffin Nevitt, Conrad Lochocki.
Villanova Scoring: Goals: Tim Atkins 3, Paul Webber 2, Eric Webber, Eric Heidenberger, Timmy Campbell, Andy German. Assists: Chris MacDonald 2, Andy German 2, Tim Atkins.