Saturday, April 6
USAFA, CO
11:00 AM MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Bellarmine
Air Force Hosts Bellarmine in ASUN Action
4/5/2024 10:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
GAME 10
AIR FORCE (5-4, 4-0 ASUN) vs. BELLARMINE (7-4, 3-1 ASUN)
11 a.m. MT, Saturday, April 6
Falcon Stadium, USAF Academy, Colo.
Air Force remains at the Academy to host Bellarmine in ASUN Conference action, April 6, at 11 a.m. MT. The Falcons are looking to make right on last season's only conference loss at Bellarmine's hand.
THE SERIES
Air Force leads the all-time series 14-4. The Falcons are 7-1 against the Knights when playing at the Academy. Bellarmine won the last meeting, 11-10, in Kentucky to hand AF its only conference loss of the 2023 season. Prior to last season's loss, the Falcons had a nine-game win streak over the Knights dating back to 2014.
LAST TIME THEY PLAYED
The Falcons were a goal shy of a comeback at Bellarmine, dropping the ASUN contest to the Knights, 11-10, on April 8, 2023. Aidan Tolen and Wes Peene were good for a goal each in last season's meeting. Jake Knapp went .500 at the center X (11-22). Chris Bardak and Daniel Enoch combined for three caused turnovers. Kyle Playstead led the Knights with three goals while Benny O'Rourk and Christian Della Rocco added two goals apiece. All aforementioned players will meet again in Saturday's matchup.
A LOOK AT THE KNIGHTS
Bellarmine has three players with more than 34 points in John Alie (31g, 8a), Kyle Playstead (21 g, 15a), and Benny O'Rourk (20g, 14a). The Knights have two face off men with 61 face off wins apiece. Aidan Fearn is .587 at the center dot this season. In goal, JC Higginbotham has 11 starts and a 9.48 GAA. Bellarmine notably beat Marquette, 11-5, which is who AF lost to earlier this season, 12-6.
AIR FORCE NOTABLES
-Sophomore Caelan Driggs leads Air Force in goals (23) and has points (25) so far this season. He has three hat tricks (4g, 4g, 5g), coming off a five-goal performance against Lindenwood. He has scored a point in every game this season and a goal in eight-of-nine appearances. He is third in the ASUN in goals per game (2.56) and second in the league in shot percentage (.434).
-Junior Josh Yago leads the team in assists (17) and points (32). He leads the ASUN in assists per game (1.89). Yago has scored a point in every game this season and put up a goal for five-straight games. He had a career day against Cleveland State, scoring seven points by way of four goals and three assists.
-Freshman Turner Ashby put up his first hat trick on March 16 against Queens. He has 13 goals and has scored in all but one game of the season. He also has an assist in seven-of-nine games this season.
-The Air Force defense is led by co-team captains Chris Bardak and James Chastain. The duo combines for 22 caused turnovers— Bardak with 12, Chastain with 10. Bardak has 28 ground balls, the most by any non-face off player. The Falcons lead the ASUN in ground balls per game (30.56), caused turnovers per game (9.11), and opponent clear percentage (.810) a mark that ranks seventh across all Div. I lacrosse.
-At center X, Jake Knapp takes the lion's share of face off attempts. He has a .458 win-percentage on the season and a season-best 17 face off wins against Queens. He is third in the ASUN in ground balls per game (4.56) and sixth in the league in face off win percent.
LAST TIME OUT
Air Force outscored Cleveland State, 12-9, in ASUN Conference action on Easter Sunday at Falcon Stadium. Air Force junior attack man Josh Yago had a career day in leading the Falcons, scoring four goals and three assists for a career-best point performance. He put his utility on display with a personal season best six ground balls and two caused turnovers.
Falcon young guns Turner Ashby and Calean Driggs put up two goals and an assist apiece. Junior teammates Kyle Griffith and Wes Peene were good for two goals apiece. Aidan Tolen, Alexander Stepney, Cole Rassas, and Hunter Panzik were credited with assists in the offensive effort.
COMING UP
The Falcons hit the road to take on Detroit Mercy in ASUN Conference action, April 13. Action on Saturday at Titan Field is slated for 11 a.m. ET. The Falcons remain undefeated against Detroit and will look to extend to eight-straight wins against the league foe.
AIR FORCE (5-4, 4-0 ASUN) vs. BELLARMINE (7-4, 3-1 ASUN)
11 a.m. MT, Saturday, April 6
Falcon Stadium, USAF Academy, Colo.
Air Force remains at the Academy to host Bellarmine in ASUN Conference action, April 6, at 11 a.m. MT. The Falcons are looking to make right on last season's only conference loss at Bellarmine's hand.
THE SERIES
Air Force leads the all-time series 14-4. The Falcons are 7-1 against the Knights when playing at the Academy. Bellarmine won the last meeting, 11-10, in Kentucky to hand AF its only conference loss of the 2023 season. Prior to last season's loss, the Falcons had a nine-game win streak over the Knights dating back to 2014.
LAST TIME THEY PLAYED
The Falcons were a goal shy of a comeback at Bellarmine, dropping the ASUN contest to the Knights, 11-10, on April 8, 2023. Aidan Tolen and Wes Peene were good for a goal each in last season's meeting. Jake Knapp went .500 at the center X (11-22). Chris Bardak and Daniel Enoch combined for three caused turnovers. Kyle Playstead led the Knights with three goals while Benny O'Rourk and Christian Della Rocco added two goals apiece. All aforementioned players will meet again in Saturday's matchup.
A LOOK AT THE KNIGHTS
Bellarmine has three players with more than 34 points in John Alie (31g, 8a), Kyle Playstead (21 g, 15a), and Benny O'Rourk (20g, 14a). The Knights have two face off men with 61 face off wins apiece. Aidan Fearn is .587 at the center dot this season. In goal, JC Higginbotham has 11 starts and a 9.48 GAA. Bellarmine notably beat Marquette, 11-5, which is who AF lost to earlier this season, 12-6.
AIR FORCE NOTABLES
-Sophomore Caelan Driggs leads Air Force in goals (23) and has points (25) so far this season. He has three hat tricks (4g, 4g, 5g), coming off a five-goal performance against Lindenwood. He has scored a point in every game this season and a goal in eight-of-nine appearances. He is third in the ASUN in goals per game (2.56) and second in the league in shot percentage (.434).
-Junior Josh Yago leads the team in assists (17) and points (32). He leads the ASUN in assists per game (1.89). Yago has scored a point in every game this season and put up a goal for five-straight games. He had a career day against Cleveland State, scoring seven points by way of four goals and three assists.
-Freshman Turner Ashby put up his first hat trick on March 16 against Queens. He has 13 goals and has scored in all but one game of the season. He also has an assist in seven-of-nine games this season.
-The Air Force defense is led by co-team captains Chris Bardak and James Chastain. The duo combines for 22 caused turnovers— Bardak with 12, Chastain with 10. Bardak has 28 ground balls, the most by any non-face off player. The Falcons lead the ASUN in ground balls per game (30.56), caused turnovers per game (9.11), and opponent clear percentage (.810) a mark that ranks seventh across all Div. I lacrosse.
-At center X, Jake Knapp takes the lion's share of face off attempts. He has a .458 win-percentage on the season and a season-best 17 face off wins against Queens. He is third in the ASUN in ground balls per game (4.56) and sixth in the league in face off win percent.
LAST TIME OUT
Air Force outscored Cleveland State, 12-9, in ASUN Conference action on Easter Sunday at Falcon Stadium. Air Force junior attack man Josh Yago had a career day in leading the Falcons, scoring four goals and three assists for a career-best point performance. He put his utility on display with a personal season best six ground balls and two caused turnovers.
Falcon young guns Turner Ashby and Calean Driggs put up two goals and an assist apiece. Junior teammates Kyle Griffith and Wes Peene were good for two goals apiece. Aidan Tolen, Alexander Stepney, Cole Rassas, and Hunter Panzik were credited with assists in the offensive effort.
COMING UP
The Falcons hit the road to take on Detroit Mercy in ASUN Conference action, April 13. Action on Saturday at Titan Field is slated for 11 a.m. ET. The Falcons remain undefeated against Detroit and will look to extend to eight-straight wins against the league foe.
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