USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Freshman Chris Walsch recorded a career-high five goals, but the Air Force lacrosse team suffered a narrow 7-6 defeat to Marist on Saturday, Feb. 14, during the Falcons' home opener at Falcon Stadium. The Falcons fell to 0-2 on the year and 1-1 all-time against the Red Foxes. Marist jumped out to an early advantage, taking a 5-1 lead midway through the second period. Walsch, who scored for Air Force at 10:24 in the first period and at 7:48 in the second, completed a first-half hat trick with six seconds left to cut the Red Foxes' lead to two (5-3) at the break. Walsch notched the Falcons' first score of the second half, finding the back of the net at the 10:26 mark of the third period. Senior Keith Dryer added a goal two minutes later that evened the score at five. The Red Foxes answered with a pair of goals in the fourth to take another two-goal lead, but Walsch recorded his fifth score of the day and brought the Falcons within one (7-6) with just over two minutes left in the game. Air Force peppered the Marist goal with attempts in the last minute, but the final horn sounded before the Falcons could find the back of the net. In addition to his goal, Dryer also paced the team with a pair of assists. Classmate Nate Hruby, freshman Nick Hruby and sophomore Austin Smith each recorded an assist. Junior Doug Gouchoe played all 60 minutes in goal for the Falcons and accounted for six saves. Gouchoe also tied with Walsch for the team lead in groundballs, as both collected five. Air Force outshot the Red Foxes 41-21, including a 27-8 advantage in the second half. Air Force also held a 25-27 edge in groundballs, while Marist earned the advantage in faceoffs, taking 10 of the game's 17. Neither team was able to score on an extra-man advantage. Air Force returns to action next weekend, when it travels to Denver to face top-ranked Pioneers (Feb. 21) and Canisius (Feb. 22) at the annual Frontier Airlines Faceoff Classic at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.