DENVER, Colo. - The Cleveland State University lacrosse team concluded play in the Faceoff Classic by dropping a 16-2 affair to defending Southern Conference champion Air Force Sunday at a sunny but cold Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.
Air Force is coming off of its best season in program history, as it went 15-3 in 2016 and reached the NCAA Tournament, and began the 2017 campaign with a win at Duke.
Midfielder Gideon Brockenbrough scored his first collegiate goal in the contest while Jared Stepka posted his first collegiate point via an assist.
Caleb Espinoza made 10 saves in under 40 minutes of action between the pipes, giving him 29 saves on the weekend.
Air Force scored the game's opening three goals before long-stick midfielder Brandon Ruditz found the back of the net for the second time this season. After the teams traded goals, the Falcons scored twice in the final three minutes of the opening quarter.
Cleveland State held Air Force scoreless on its first three possession of the second quarter, giving the Vikings a chance to pull closer. However, CSU could not take advantage and the deficit remained at four.
Cleveland State limited Air Force to just two strikes in the second quarter, but the Falcons came out firing in the second half to put the game away.
Parese Williams posted two caused turnovers and added a pair of ground balls in the contest.
The Vikings return home next weekend to host Canisius Saturday, March 4, at 1:00 p.m. The Golden Griffins were the other team in this weekend's Faceoff Classic along with the two Colorado squads.