Saturday, February 11
USAFA, CO
1:00 PM
Air Force Academy
12
vs
10
#17 Denver
Photo by: Guy Grindberg
Falcon Lacrosse Knocks off No. 17 Denver, 12-10
2/11/2023 4:09:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Air Force notched its first win against DU since 2009
USAF ACADEMY – Air Force grinded to a 12-10 upset win against the 17th-ranked Denver Pioneers in the USAFA home opener Saturday afternoon. The win marks the first time AF has beat Denver since 2009 and delivers head DU coach Bill Tierney his first-ever loss the Falcons.
Air Force seniors led their team to victory from the front as co-team captain Brandon Dodd put up an impressive five goals and one assist while senior teammate Jason Rose made 17 saves (63%).
The Pioneers were the first to strike, going up two goals to none in the opening five minutes. Air Force battled back to tie DU at three at the end of the first 15. Brandon Dodd, Gavin Peene, and newcomer Hunter Panzik were credited with the first-quarter goals.
The Falcons outscored Denver 4-1 in an explosive second quarter giving Falcons a three-goal cushion heading into the halftime break. Dodd got his second goal and hat trick goal in before the halftime horn sounded. Josh Yago and another freshman in Caelan Driggs notched goals in the second quarter.
At the half, AF was outshooting the Pioneers 21-15 and Rose had eight saves to his credit.
Denver had their best showing in the third quarter putting up five goals the four from Air Force. Dodd scored goals four and five in the third quarter and teammates Aidan Tolen and Ethan Grandolfo plugged one in apiece to maintain the AF lead despite being outscored in the quarter.
The final quarter of action was a stingy battle as both teams put up one goal in the final 15 minutes. Shad Bruce gained the momentum for the Falcons on a counterattack via feed from Driggs, sending the AF sideline and fan base into a frenzy. DU got their final goal of the game at 1:46, but it was too little too late.
At the final horn AF outshot DU, 36-35. Dodd put up a game-high 10 shots with five coming on frame. Yago was the key facilitator with a goal and two assists. Junior Defender Chris Bardak got some action on the face off dot, winning 3-9 attempts and picking up four ground balls. DU handily won the face off battle, 22-6. Junior defender James Chastain was anchored the defense with three caused turnovers.
Rose played out of his mind as he denied the Pios any real scoring traction for a full 60 minutes.
Next up, Air Force holds down the fort as they bring in Colgate for a Saturday game (Feb. 18). Action at the lacrosse practice field is slated for 1 p.m.
Air Force seniors led their team to victory from the front as co-team captain Brandon Dodd put up an impressive five goals and one assist while senior teammate Jason Rose made 17 saves (63%).
The Pioneers were the first to strike, going up two goals to none in the opening five minutes. Air Force battled back to tie DU at three at the end of the first 15. Brandon Dodd, Gavin Peene, and newcomer Hunter Panzik were credited with the first-quarter goals.
The Falcons outscored Denver 4-1 in an explosive second quarter giving Falcons a three-goal cushion heading into the halftime break. Dodd got his second goal and hat trick goal in before the halftime horn sounded. Josh Yago and another freshman in Caelan Driggs notched goals in the second quarter.
At the half, AF was outshooting the Pioneers 21-15 and Rose had eight saves to his credit.
Denver had their best showing in the third quarter putting up five goals the four from Air Force. Dodd scored goals four and five in the third quarter and teammates Aidan Tolen and Ethan Grandolfo plugged one in apiece to maintain the AF lead despite being outscored in the quarter.
The final quarter of action was a stingy battle as both teams put up one goal in the final 15 minutes. Shad Bruce gained the momentum for the Falcons on a counterattack via feed from Driggs, sending the AF sideline and fan base into a frenzy. DU got their final goal of the game at 1:46, but it was too little too late.
At the final horn AF outshot DU, 36-35. Dodd put up a game-high 10 shots with five coming on frame. Yago was the key facilitator with a goal and two assists. Junior Defender Chris Bardak got some action on the face off dot, winning 3-9 attempts and picking up four ground balls. DU handily won the face off battle, 22-6. Junior defender James Chastain was anchored the defense with three caused turnovers.
Rose played out of his mind as he denied the Pios any real scoring traction for a full 60 minutes.
Next up, Air Force holds down the fort as they bring in Colgate for a Saturday game (Feb. 18). Action at the lacrosse practice field is slated for 1 p.m.