The Air Force lacrosse team is back in action this weekend, March 1, for a non-conference road match-up against service-academy rival Army. The game is slated to start at 12:00 p.m. at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y.
Broadcast Info…
Live audio/video of the Air Force-Army game will be made available for a fee on Knight Vision, Army’s broadband channel. Live stats will also be accessible from goARMYsports.com.
The Teams…
• Air Force enters this weekend’s contest with a 1-0 record.
• Army enters this weekend’s contest with 1-1 record.
The Coaches…
• Air Force is coached by Fred Acee, in his 11th season with the Falcons. Acee holds a 348-214-1 career record (41st year) and a 36-95 mark at the Academy.
• Army is coached by Joe Alberici, in his third season at the helm of the Black Knights’ program. Alberici holds a 23-23 career record (fourth year) and a 15-17 mark at West Point.
Series Records…
Air Force and Army have met 15 times before, with the Black Knights undefeated against the Falcons. The contests between the two teams have gone to overtime in three of the last five years.
Scouting the Falcons…
Air Force (1-0) got its season to a solid start with an 8-7 overtime victory over visiting Providence earlier this week. Leading the way for the Falcons with a career-best five goals, including the gamewinner, was senior David Rose. Meanwhile, freshman goalkeeper Brian Wilson picked up his first career win, recording seven saves in the victory.
Scouting the Black Knights…
Army (1-1) is coming off a close 8-7 loss to eighth-ranked Syracuse, after beginning the season with a 16-3 win over VMI.
The Black Knights are led by Tewaaraton Trophy candidate Adam Fullerton. The senior goalkeeper has averaged nine saves in his first two games and holds a 5.82 GAA. Meanwhile, Justin Bokmeyer (6g, 1a) and Rob McCallion (4g, 3a) lead the Army offense with seven points each.
A Career Day For Rosie…
Senior David Rose was instrumental in the Falcons’ win over Providence earlier this week, scoring five of the team’s eight goals, including the gamewinner in overtime. Rose, who had scored just two goals in his career prior to Tuesday’s contest, took just five shots in the game, scoring on all of them.
Season Openers…
With their win over Providence, the Falcons are now 29-13 all-time in season openers and have won four of their last five season openers.
Air Force opened the season at home for the second year in a row and just the third time since 2002. This season also marks the second straight year the Falcons have started the season against an opponent from the MAAC. The Falcons picked up an 11-7 home win over Siena to start the 2007 season.
Keep the Streak Alive…
Junior Griffin Nevitt will look to keep his scoring streak alive this weekend, as the midfielder has scored at least one goal or assist in 26 consecutive games. Nevitt, who has 45 goals and 25 assists in his career, has scored in 28 of 29 games in his career.
New in Net…
For the second straight season, the Falcons have had to find a new starter at the goalkeeper position. Getting the nod in the first game of the season was freshman Brian Wilson, who tallied seven saves with seven goals against. Other goalkeepers battling for starting time are senior Clayton Cruickshank, who has played in one game in his career, and freshmen Woody Johnson and Kyle Rich.
The Falcons in OT…
Air Force’s game against Providence broke a six-game losing streak in overtime contests. The last time the Falcons won in overtime was in 2001. The opponent in that game was Providence.
Up Next…
Air Force takes on a pair of Ivy League teams next week, March 8-9, at the annual Pioneer Face-off Classic, hosted by Denver. The Falcons will meet up with Penn on Saturday, before facing Brown on Sunday. Both games are slated to start at 11:00 a.m. at Barton Lacrosse Stadium.
