April 16, 2005

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -John Walker registered six points and Jim Wagner scored four goals, but it was not enough to overcome homestanding Navy as the Mids defeated the Black Knights, 12-9, Saturday before 12,117 spectators at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Md.

Navy used a five-goal spurt at the beginning of the second half to pull away from Army and end the Black Knights' nine-game winning streak on the year.

Army falls to 9-2 overall and 4-1 in the Patriot League, while Navy improves to 9-2 and 5-1 in league play. If Army defeats Holy Cross on Tuesday, it would claim a share of the Patriot League regular-season title, though Navy would win the tie-breaker and host the postseason tournament April 29-May 1.

The Black Knights started strong with two straight goals by Wagner to open the contest. After Navy finally put up its first goal of the afternoon, Army struck again to push the lead to 3-1.

However, Navy scored the next four goals of the game to take a 5-3 lead and would never trail again.

Junior defenseman Matt Luyster scooped a team-high five ground balls for the Black Knights to win the Army Saber, handed out to the Army player who picks up the most ground balls in the Army-Navy contest.

Senior Matt Darak, making his first start since March 12 against Cornell, made eight saves and allowed 10 goals in 44 minutes of action in the cage. He suffers his second loss of the year. Adam Fullerton played the remaining 16 minutes, allowing two goals and making one save.

Army will return to action on Tue., April 19 when it travels to Worcester, Mass., for the team's final Patriot League contest against Holy Cross at 7 p.m.