Jan. 20, 2006

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Navy shot its best score of the year, but it wasn't enough as Alaska-Fairbanks handed the Mids their first loss of the year, 4715 to 4650. The loss dropped Navy's record to 5-1 overall, while Alaska-Fairbanks improved to 10-0 overall. Alaska-Fairbanks is the favorite to win its seventh national title in eight years.

"We never like to lose. We came here today to win," said Navy head coach Bill Kelley. "But I am very proud of the team and the way they shot today. It's our team high score and we are improving. We are starting to come together as a team and are getting better. We are working hard."

Alaska-Fairbanks, which set an NCAA record with a 4728 on Thursday against Army, shot a 2367 to Navy's 2344 in air rifle. The Nanooks also outscored Navy, 2348 to 2306, in smallbore.

"Our air rifle score was very strong today. I was very pleased with that performance," said Kelley. "Our smallbore still needs some work, but its getting better. It would have been higher, but Christina Schade had a misfire. She's a young shooter, who was in the lineup for the first time, and she will learn from that."

In air rifle, Sarah Bergman (Fort Mill, S.C.) and Lisa Kunzelman (Constantia, N.Y.) led Navy with 592's. Josh Albright (Shelton, Conn.) added a 587 and Chris Schneider (Fort Mill, S.C.) rounded out the scoring with a 573.

"Obviously, having Sarah back is a big boost for us. She just adds some much-needed depth, experience and talent," said Kelley. "Kunzelman made some adjustments over the past two weeks in her training and it showed today. She shot very well."

In smallbore, Schneider led Navy with a 583, Albright followed with a 581, Kunzelman added a 578 and Christina Schade (Eagle River, Alaska) rounded out with a 564.

"It was a good performance for us. We just faced a team that is better than we are. Plain and simple," added Kelley.

Navy is off until next weekend when it travels to the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

# GO NAVY #