Air Force Visits Mercer for Non-Conference Contest
3/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
March 30, 2011
The Air Force lacrosse team continues its three-game road stretch this weekend, April 2, as the Falcons head to Macon, Ga., to take on Mercer in a non-conference match-up. The game is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m. (ET) at Bear Field.
Last Time Out...
With a second-half offensive outburst by the home team, Air Force dropped a 14-7 road decision to No. 15 Denver last Saturday in ECAC action.
Freshman Kyle Cassady scored a season-high two goals to lead the Falcons, while senior Zack Carroll and freshman Erik Smith added a goal and an assist each.
Scouting the Falcons...
Air Force enters this weekend's contest with a 2-6 overall record after its 14-7 road loss to 15th-ranked Denver on Saturday.
Senior Vinny Sandtorv, who has a team-best 14 goals on the season, leads the Falcons with 17 points on the season. Freshman Mike Crampton is second on the team with 15 points (11 g, 4a), while freshman Erik Smith, who has registered a team-high seven assists, and senior Zack Carroll (8g, 5a) have added 13 points each.
Scouting the Bears...
Mercer enters this weekend with a 1-9 overall record on the season. The first-year varsity program is coming off its first victory, a 17-13 win over Division III Carthage.
Mercer is coached by Jason Childs, who previously started the varsity men's lacrosse program at Presbyterian. Cole Branch leads the Bears with 22 points, including a team-best 18 goals, while John Avent is second on the team with 13 points (10g, 3a). Mercer averages 6.4 goals per game, while allowing 18.5 goals per contest.
Series Records...
This week's contest will be the first-ever meeting between Air Force and Mercer.
Air Force in the statistical rankings...
In the latest national statistical rankings released by the NCAA (through games of March 27), Air Force ranks in the top 30 in a pair of categories. The Falcons rank 20th in ground balls per game (31.25) and tied for 30th in the nation in man-down defense (.692).
In addition, the Falcons have a couple of players who are ranked among the top 50 nationally in various statistical categories. Freshman midfielder Erik Smith ranks 26th (4.88) in ground balls per game and 44th in face-off win percentage (.462), while goalkeeper Brian Wilson ranks 38th in the nation in goals against average (9.4) and tied for 43rd in save percentage (.500).
How they Rate...
Through games of March 27, Mercer ranks eighth in the nation in saves per game with 12.7. Meanwhile, Alex Goldsberry leads the way in the individual rankings, tying for 32nd in the nation in caused turnovers per game.
Road Warriors...
This weekend, Air Force is in the middle of three-game stretch on the road, its second multiple-game road swing of the season. Through the first 10 games of the season, the Falcons will have played eight games away from home, including a pair of neutral site contests at Denver.
After playing just two home games in the first month and a half of the season, Air Force will conclude the regular season with a three-game homestand, beginning on April 17 versus Ohio State.
The Long Pole Scores...
Freshman defenseman Matt Puleo registered his first career goal against Denver on Saturday, capitalizing on a face-off win to stop a 5-0 scoring run by the Pioneers. Puleo becomes the fourth Air Force player this season to register a point with the long pole. Junior Dayton Gilbreath notched his first goal of the year against Jacksonville, while seniors Bryan Gilbreath and Tristan Newkirk have each notched an assist this season.
Going After the Ground Balls...
Freshman Erik Smith recorded nine ground balls against Denver on Saturday, matching his season high that was previously set versus Manhattan. Smith's nine ground balls were the most by a Falcon this season, and the most since current senior Bryan Gilbreath was credited with nine ground balls against Penn last season.
Up Next...
Air Force concludes its three-game road swing next weekend, April 9, when it heads to Louisville, Ky., to face ECAC rival Bellarmine in a 12:00 p.m. (ET) contest.
