Service Academy lacrosse round-up: Army, Navy women notch wins

Army Men

In a close battle, Army ended up falling to Syracuse in the fourth quarter by a score of 10-8. Army started the game on a good note, scoring the first goal of the game for the fourth time this season.

AJ Baretto was outstanding with a career-high 18 saves, with eight of them in the second quarter alone.

After the first quarter, Army struggled to put up goals against the Orange who scored 3 unassisted heading into the second. They increased the lead 5-3 halfway through end of the second quarter and had Army trailing by three in the third quarter.

Junior Alex Alacqua made his first career assist, while Matt Manown and Brandon Nichtern added three points each. Unfortunately, Army faced an uphill battle in the final quarter and fell to the Orange in the end.

Patriot League play begins this week as the the Black Knights take on Lafayette on Saturday, March 2 at 12 pm at Michie Stadium.

Army Women

The Black Knights held up against Mount St. Mary’s last weekend, making this their fifth win in a row to start the season. A rocky first half proved only a small obstacle for Army as the team finished the game with a winning score of 10-6.

Manuela Cortes finished with an impressive game, reaching her 100th career point and becoming Army’s all-time leader in goals scored with 88.

This was the fifth game the Black Knights have held their opponents on single digit scoring. Army came alive in the second half holding the Mount St. Mary’s without points on the board for almost 27 minutes.

Army will take on Monmouth at home Saturday, March 2 at 3 p.m. at Michie Stadium.

Navy Women

The Mids came away with their first win against a ranked opponent this season against Towson last weekend, beating the Tigers 14-13, another tight victory for the Mids who will host the Florida Gators this weekend at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Annalise Heyward caused a team-best five turnovers out of the total nine Navy caused of the Tigers. Heyward along with Kayla Harris, netted three goals each. Kelly Larkin was also a major help last week with a team best four goals.

During the last two minutes of the game, Navy was able to hold the score and run down the clock, resulting in an errant pass by the Tigers.

The Mids are going on the road this week to take on Villanova in a non-conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 3 p.m. before taking on the 11th ranked Gators this Saturday at 11 a.m. in Annapolis.

Navy Men

Undefeated Maryland kept rolling, topping Navy 14-9 last weekend.

The Mids opened up the game with a three-goal run. Navy capped off its three-goal run with All-American midfielder Greyson Torain getting in on the action. After Navy fell three goals behind in the second quarter, the Terps increased their lead by one with a goal early on in the third.

Torain and Nick Cole managed back-to-back goals in response, leaving Navy trailing by a score of 9-7. Long pole Jeff Durden closed out a major buzzer beater when started off by the Mids. Jeff Durden got control of the ball on the defensive half of the field, leaving Torain to make the heads-up scoop and passing to Christian Daniel, who sent his shot top shelf to get Navy within two goals 10-8 as the third quarter expired.

Maryland’s defense, however managed to keep their momentum alive to the end, running ahead in their lead while limiting Navy to just one more goal in the fourth.

Navy will face Bucknell in their first Patriot League action in Annapolis, Md., Saturday, March 2 at 3 p.m.

Air Force Men

Air Force ended the Faceoff Classic with a close loss (6-5) to Utah in the pair’s first-ever meeting last Saturday.

The first quarter only saw two goals thanks to Trey Lervick and an assist from Brandon Jones. The Falcons managed three scores during the first minute of the second quarter.

After a combined 14 failed shot attempts, the Utes made a goal, evening the score at 4 apiece. Lervick got another goal but Utah was able to respond and hold up against the Falcons during the last five minutes of the game, winning by a slim 1-point margin.

Saturday, Air Force will go on the road to Buffalo, N.Y., and face off against Canisius at 12 p.m.