Bulldogs fall at Air Force, 11-6

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Aidan Goltz recorded a hat trick but it wasn't enough as Air Force raced out to an early lead and held on for an 11-6 victory Saturday afternoon.

With the loss, the Bulldogs fall to 4-2 on the year and will now set their sights on America East play. Bryant opens league play on Saturday, March 18 at home against UMBC.

On Saturday, the Falcons held the nation's fifth-highest-scoring offense to a season-low six goals. Air Force led 4-0 after one, 6-2 at half and then held off a fourth-quarter Bryant rally. Goltz led Bryant with four points (3g, 1a), while Kevin Groeninger (2g) and Johnny Hackett (1g, 1a) each had multi-point games. Teagan Alexander made 13 saves between the pipes. Jacob Alexander won 11-of-15 faceoffs and had eight ground balls.

Game Information
Air Force 11, Bryant 6
Records: Bryant 4-2, Air Force 4-2
Location: USAFA Practice Field (USAF Academy, Colo.)

Key Moment

• Air Force shutout the Bulldogs in the first quarter to take a 4-0 lead after one quarter.         

How it Happened

• Air Force scored five minutes in to break the ice and held a 1-0 lead until late in the quarter. The Falcons then scored three goals in the final 2:45 to take a 4-0 lead after one.
• Johnny Hackett and Aidan Goltz were able to pot goals in the second quarter but the Falcons led 6-2 at the break.
• Kevin Groeninger was able to make it 6-3 as he rolled from behind the cage but the Falcons score the next three to make it 9-3.
• Groeninger then scored with six seconds left in the third to start a string of three straight goals for the Bulldogs.
• Goltz scored twice in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter to make it 9-6.
• Air Force would pot two more and hold on for the 11-6 victory. 

Stats

• Air Force outshout Bryant, 37-31.
• Bryant won 13-of-21 faceoffs.
• Bryant turned the ball over 20 times, while Air Force had 21.
• Goltz notched four points, finishing with three goals and an assist.
• Groeninger notched a pair of goals.
• Johnny Hackett picked up a goal and an assist.
• Teagan Alexander posted 13 saves.
• Jacob Alexander went 11-of-16 on faceoffs and eight ground balls.  

Game Notes

• Bryant is now 0-2 all-time against Air Force.
• The Bulldogs came into the game averaging over 15.0 goals per game. The six goals were a season low.
• Timmy Hackett extended his point streak to 12 games dating back to last season.
• Goltz now has 14 goals in his last five games.
• Jack Lonsinger, the highest-scoring freshman in the country, was held without a goal for the first time this year.

Up Next
Bryant returns to Beirne Stadium on Saturday, March 18 to host UMBC in the America East opener for both teams. Faceoff is set for 12:00 p.m.