Saturday, February 8
USAFA, CO
12:00 PM
Air Force Academy
vs
Denver
Falcon Lacrosse to Host No. 14 Denver in Home Opener
2/7/2025 10:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Air Force (0-1, 0-0 ASUN) vs. [15/14] Denver (0-1, 0-0 BIG EAST)
12 p.m. MT, Saturday, Feb. 8
Falcon Stadium - USAF Academy, Colo.
Air Force opens Falcon Stadium for the first time this year to welcome in-state rival No. 14/15 Denver Pioneers to a Saturday afternoon matchup. Action is scheduled for 12 pm MST. Last season, the Falcons had a 5-3 home record.
Installation Access Requirement
The U.S. Air Force Academy processes to access the installation continue to affect athletic events. While the installation remains open, if you do not have a DoD ID card you will need to obtain a pass to enter the base. Ticket holders wishing to attend can request a base pass by using the links below for each game. Once you register, you will receive a message with a QR code on your phone to present at the gate when entering the Academy. Fans will present game tickets when entering each venue. All ticketed/credentialed attendees will need to enter through the North Gate only to get to the Cadet Field House.
Intercollegiate Athletic Events, Feb. 8-9, Click HERE.
Men's Tennis (2/8) vs. Metro State, 10 a.m.
Lacrosse (2/8) vs. Denver, 12 p.m.
Men's Basketball (2/8) vs. New Mexico, 2 p.m.
Men's Gymnastics (2/8) vs. California, 2 p.m.
Men's Tennis (2/9) vs. Montana, 3 p.m.
Women's Gymnastics (2/9) vs. Boise State/Greenville, 1 p.m.
A Brief History
Since 1999, The University of Denver has won 25 of the 28 meetings with the Falcons. Last season, DU outscored AF, 11-9, at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Caelan Driggs put up four goals on the Pioneers while Josh Yago tacked on a goal with three assists. Both Falcons will be playing in Saturday's matchup. Two seasons ago, Air Force downed the Pioneers, 12-10, at USAFA. The win marked AF's first since 2009 and was legendary head coach Bill Tierney's first-ever loss to the Falcons. Driggs, Yago, and Hunter Panzik scored a goal apiece in the win, Yago had two assists.
Last Weekend
Both Air Force and Denver came up short in their respective season openers. Lafayette rallied from behind to take down the Falcons in Easton, Pennsylvania, 11-8. A lackluster second half for the Falcons proved to be the difference in the game as AF scored just two goals in the second thirty minutes. Cole Rassas led the Falcons with a hat trick performance while Cole Cunningham paced the defense with five caused turnovers and six ground balls.
Denver took a loss to No. 8 Johns Hopkins in Denver, 13-10. Mic Kelly led the Pioneers with a hat trick and a helper for a four-point afternoon. Cody Malawsky also had four points on two goals and two assists. Marek Tzagournis was Denver's only other multi-goal scorer with a pair in the season opener. In his collegiate debut, Blake Kirschke had four ground balls and a caused turnover. Malcolm Kleban made 11 saves on 24 shots on goal. The loss in Denver's first in a season opener since 2012, and its first ever loss in a season opener in Colorado.
A Look at the Pioneers
William G. Tierney Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Matt Brown named four captains for his second season in charge in 2025. Jack Tortolani is the only multi-year captain in the quartet after also being named a captain to last year's Championship-Weekend qualifying 2024 squad. Tortolani is joined this season by close defenseman Jimmy Freehill, SSDM Casey Wilson and midfielder Joshua Carlson. Tortolani played and started in all 17 games in Denver's first midfield a year ago, totaling 15 points on seven goals and eight assists. Carlson played in all 17 games as well, starting 16 in the midfield where he put up 18 goals to go with nine assists for 27 points. Wilson had 6 points (4-2) in transition to go with 35 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers on the defensive end. Freehill played and started in all 17 games on Denver's close defense, often drawing the opponents top attackman while picking up 37 ground balls and forcing 22 turnovers.
Coming Up
Air Force hits the road to take on Ohio State in Columbus, February 15. Action at Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium is slated for 2 p.m. ET. The teams last met at the Academy last season, tOSU won the game, 12-4.
12 p.m. MT, Saturday, Feb. 8
Falcon Stadium - USAF Academy, Colo.
Air Force opens Falcon Stadium for the first time this year to welcome in-state rival No. 14/15 Denver Pioneers to a Saturday afternoon matchup. Action is scheduled for 12 pm MST. Last season, the Falcons had a 5-3 home record.
Installation Access Requirement
The U.S. Air Force Academy processes to access the installation continue to affect athletic events. While the installation remains open, if you do not have a DoD ID card you will need to obtain a pass to enter the base. Ticket holders wishing to attend can request a base pass by using the links below for each game. Once you register, you will receive a message with a QR code on your phone to present at the gate when entering the Academy. Fans will present game tickets when entering each venue. All ticketed/credentialed attendees will need to enter through the North Gate only to get to the Cadet Field House.
Intercollegiate Athletic Events, Feb. 8-9, Click HERE.
Men's Tennis (2/8) vs. Metro State, 10 a.m.
Lacrosse (2/8) vs. Denver, 12 p.m.
Men's Basketball (2/8) vs. New Mexico, 2 p.m.
Men's Gymnastics (2/8) vs. California, 2 p.m.
Men's Tennis (2/9) vs. Montana, 3 p.m.
Women's Gymnastics (2/9) vs. Boise State/Greenville, 1 p.m.
A Brief History
Since 1999, The University of Denver has won 25 of the 28 meetings with the Falcons. Last season, DU outscored AF, 11-9, at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Caelan Driggs put up four goals on the Pioneers while Josh Yago tacked on a goal with three assists. Both Falcons will be playing in Saturday's matchup. Two seasons ago, Air Force downed the Pioneers, 12-10, at USAFA. The win marked AF's first since 2009 and was legendary head coach Bill Tierney's first-ever loss to the Falcons. Driggs, Yago, and Hunter Panzik scored a goal apiece in the win, Yago had two assists.
Last Weekend
Both Air Force and Denver came up short in their respective season openers. Lafayette rallied from behind to take down the Falcons in Easton, Pennsylvania, 11-8. A lackluster second half for the Falcons proved to be the difference in the game as AF scored just two goals in the second thirty minutes. Cole Rassas led the Falcons with a hat trick performance while Cole Cunningham paced the defense with five caused turnovers and six ground balls.
Denver took a loss to No. 8 Johns Hopkins in Denver, 13-10. Mic Kelly led the Pioneers with a hat trick and a helper for a four-point afternoon. Cody Malawsky also had four points on two goals and two assists. Marek Tzagournis was Denver's only other multi-goal scorer with a pair in the season opener. In his collegiate debut, Blake Kirschke had four ground balls and a caused turnover. Malcolm Kleban made 11 saves on 24 shots on goal. The loss in Denver's first in a season opener since 2012, and its first ever loss in a season opener in Colorado.
A Look at the Pioneers
William G. Tierney Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Matt Brown named four captains for his second season in charge in 2025. Jack Tortolani is the only multi-year captain in the quartet after also being named a captain to last year's Championship-Weekend qualifying 2024 squad. Tortolani is joined this season by close defenseman Jimmy Freehill, SSDM Casey Wilson and midfielder Joshua Carlson. Tortolani played and started in all 17 games in Denver's first midfield a year ago, totaling 15 points on seven goals and eight assists. Carlson played in all 17 games as well, starting 16 in the midfield where he put up 18 goals to go with nine assists for 27 points. Wilson had 6 points (4-2) in transition to go with 35 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers on the defensive end. Freehill played and started in all 17 games on Denver's close defense, often drawing the opponents top attackman while picking up 37 ground balls and forcing 22 turnovers.
Coming Up
Air Force hits the road to take on Ohio State in Columbus, February 15. Action at Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium is slated for 2 p.m. ET. The teams last met at the Academy last season, tOSU won the game, 12-4.
Players Mentioned
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