Feb. 18, 2006

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The fifth-ranked Navy rifle team saw its 12-match winning streak over Army end on Saturday as the Black Knights outshot the Mids, 5844 to 5803, to deal Navy just its second loss of the season and defeat Navy for the first time sicne the 1989-90 season. The loss drops Navy's record to 8-2 overall.

"Obviously, it isn't a good feeling. I don't really know how to feel, this is something no one on this team has felt," said Navy head coach Bill Kelley. "I think we were just outshot by a better team today. We shot well, but they performed better than we did. Army's depth was the difference. We just aren't at their level depth-wise yet."

Using a five-person counting score, Navy trailed by just 21 points after the smallbore competition, 2912 to 2891, but couldn't close the gap as Army shot an outstanding 2932 in air rifle to Navy's 2912. All five of Army's smallbore totals were at least 577, while the Black Knights' five shooters all shot at least 581 in air rifle.

Navy, which would have shot its fourth-best score of the year using the four-person format, was led by Josh Albright (Shelton, Conn.) and Chris Schneider (Fort Mill, S.C.) in smallbore, each with a 583. Lisa Kunzelman (Constantia, N.Y.) followed with a 582. Christina Schade (Eagle River, Alaska) and Ryan Miller (Alliance, Neb.) rounded out Navy's smallbore attack with a 572 and 571, respectively. Army's Chris Abalo shot a 590 and Brian Kern added a 587.

In air rifle, Kunzelman paced Navy with a 586. Sarah Bergman (Fort Mill, S.C.) added a 585, Schneider a 583 and Albright a 582. Monica Amagna (Tulsa, Okla.) rounded out Navy's air rifle with a 576. Abalo led all shooters with a stellar 594, while John Fiddes and Wesley Hess tallied 587's.

"I want to also say congratulations to Army," added Kelley. " I know this has been a goal of theirs for some time. They have an outstading team. Hopefully, this loss will motivate us. We're aren't happy losing, and we are not used to it. We will see them in the NCAA Tournament and we have a chance to redeem ourselves. We hope to make the most of it."

Navy closes out its dual season at the MAC Championships on March 4.

# GO NAVY #