April 3, 2004

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. - John Walker and Jim Wagner each recorded hat tricks as No. 12 Army ran away from a pesky Marist squad in the second half en route to an 11-5 victory Saturday afternoon at Shea Stadium. Army (6-2) is off to its best start since 1993. Marist falls to 3-4.

The Black Knights dominated Hudson Valley rival Marist in almost every statistical category in the first ever meeting between the two schools. However, Red Foxes goalkeeper Steve Gravino turned in an outstanding performance, making 21 saves, keeping his teammates close as long as possible.

Wagner and Marko Kostovic tallied in the final 1:07 of the second quarter to break a 3-all tie and lift Army to a 5-3 lead at halftime. Jake Couch then opened the second half with a marker at 13:55, capping a four-goal run for the hosts that opened up a 6-3 advantage. Marist would only get as close as two the rest of the afternoon.

Wagner had a hand in three of the four tallies during that decisive stretch. The junior attackman finished with five points, posting three goals and two assists.

Walker carried the load from there, assisting on two third-quarter goals and picking up a goal and an assist in the fourth. The crafty attackman finished with a game-high six points and seven ground balls. It marked the second straight game in which Walker posted six points, having burned Lafayette for six earlier in the week.