Jan. 19, 2009

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Lisa Kunzelman earned air rifle medalist honors, but Alaska's depth was too much on Monday afternoon, handing the Navy rifle team its first loss of the season, 4632 to 4598. The loss drops Navy's overall record to 12-1 on the season.

"It was just one of those disappointing efforts today," said Navy head coach Bill Kelley. "I felt we let a win get away from us. Our last three matches we have really underperformed and I am not sure of the reason. The match should have been closer than it was and outside of Lisa's (Kunzelman) performance in air rifle, there was nothing very commendable."

The Mids fell behind by 14 points after the smallbore discipline, 2290 to 2276. Chris Burleson led Navy with a 578. Alison Lankes and Kunzelman added 567s and Kenan Wang scored a 564. Cody Rutter led Alaska's scoring team with a 576.

With the door left open in the air rifle discipline, the Midshipmen shot a season-low 2322, allowing the Nanooks to defeat the Midshipmen by 34 points. Alaska outgunned the Mids in air rifle, 2342 to 2322.

"You just can't underperform against Alaska. We just aren't at the level that we can step on the line and expect to beat that team with a poor effort. I am pretty frustrated," said Kelley. "We need to try and get refocused and get the right people on the line. We have some hard training coming up the next few days to get ready for the stretch run."

Kunzelman garnered co-medalist honors with Patrik Sartz, both shooting a 590. Burleson scored a 581, Alex Karacsonyi tallied a 579 and Lankes contributed a 572. All four of Alaska's scores were 582 or better.

Navy will shoot this weekend in Philadelphia against the University of the Sciences on both Friday and Saturday.

# GO NAVY #