Wednesday, May 7
Moon Township, PA
3:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
9-7
14
at
9
Robert Morris
11-6
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2
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4
F
Air Force
5
2
3
4
14
Robert Morris
2
2
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9
Falcon Lacrosse Advances in NCAA Tournament After Downing Robert Morris, 14-9
5/7/2025 8:01:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Air Force led Robert Morris from wire-to-wire, winning 14-9 in the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Wednesday evening at Joe Walton Stadium. The Falcons, now 9-7 overall, have guaranteed a winning season and a chance to play on with the win.
GAME NOTES
-Air Force notched its second-ever NCAA Tournament win in the victory, marking the first time since beating Richmond in a play-in game in 2014.
-The Falcons are now on a seven-game winning streak, the longest since 2015 and the fourth longest active win streak in the NCAA.
-Robert Morris was on a six-game win streak at Joe Walton Stadium prior to Air Force coming to town. The Falcons are now on a three-game winning streak at Robert Morris.
-Caelan Driggs is now the all-time single-season goals leader with 58 goals, overtaking previous record holder Mike Crampton's 48 in 2015.
-Josh Yago is now the all-time single-season assists leader with 36, overtaking previous record holder Keith Dreyer's 31 in 2014. His 154 career points are now fifth-most in the record book.
-Air Force and Maryland met in the 1971 NCAA Tournament where the Terrapins bested the Falcons, 10-1.
SIGNIFICANT STATS
-Caelan Driggs put up five goals in the effort, marking his eighth game straight with a hat trick-plus performance and his 13th hat trick overall this season.
-Josh Yago impressed with two goals and three assists, upping his career assists count to 76 which is third most in the record book despite missing his freshman season to injury.
-The Falcons picked up 36 ground balls to equal their season high mark for the third time. Seven Falcons pick up three ground balls apiece, including AF ground balls leader Cole Cunningham who now has 83.
-Freshman LSM Hee-Cheol Shin led the defensive stand with three caused turnovers and three ground balls to his credit, while Driggs caused three from the offensive third.
UP NEXT
Air Force travels East to College Park, Maryland, to take on the No. 2 seed Maryland Terrapins on Sunday, May 11. Action at SECU Stadium is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Fans can watch the game live on ESPNU with Drew Carter and Matt Ward on the call.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First quarter
RMU struck early as Luke Prezioso assisted David Burr at 14:20 on the clock. Caelan Driggs and Wes Peene responded in order with unassisted goals at 11:30, 10:40, and 9:22. Burr responded with his second goal to bring RMU back within one with help from Joel McCormick. Driggs, for his 13th hat trick of the season, notched his third goal coming from the near flank to re-extend 4-2. Josh Yago pushed the lead one goal further with help from Cole Rassas at 2:44 for a 5-2 lead. RMU, in the waning seconds of the quarter, were able to net a goal but it was called off on a violation.
Second quarter
Air Force continued to pour it on out of the break with Driggs' fourth goal at 12:33 and a strike from Cole Rassas just over a minute later (11:30). RMU was able to stop the hemorrhaging behind their man in goal five straight saves against the Falcon offense hitting on all cylinders. The Colonials finally got their response at 3:15 remaining in the first half as Burr hit his hat trick goal with help from Graeme MacLennan. RMU clawed back into the game with another goal, this time from Nolan Barker in a man-up situation at the 1:36 mark. Air Force entered the halftime break with a 7-4 lead.
Third quarter
The Falcons rebuilt to a 9-5 lead out of the break behind goals from Alexander Stepney (10:51) and Wes Peene (9:27). Josh Yago and Luke Vrsansky provided assists, respectively. McCormick fed Calum Brennan for his 49th goal of the season at 6:33. Wes Peene responded with his hat trick goal just under two minutes later (4:48), this time with help from Mana Wilhelm. A mere 39 seconds later, RMU's Burr notched his fourth goal in response to bring the score to 10-7. The teams closed the quarter at the same score.
Fourth quarter
RMU was first to score out of the break, scoring their eighth goal at 14:24 behind Graeme MacLennan. Following an offsides penalty by RMU, the Falcons capitalized on the extra man opportunity with Driggs' fifth goal via Yago's helper at 11:39. As RMU dropped back on their heels, Air Force stepped on the gas, scoring two goals in succession at 9:28 and 7:39, this time from Vrsansky and Yago. Peene assisted Yago in his second goal. Refusing to go down without a fight, RMU's Burr tallied his fifth goal with help from McCormick to bring the Colonials back within four goals,13-9. As RMU made its final push, a near goal ignited the home crowd but it was called off – in the commotion of Colonials' disbelief, AF freshman long pole Aidan Chairs scooped up the ball and launched it 70 yards into an unattended net, pushing Air Force to a 14-9 lead at 2:30 remaining. AF successfully held RMU scoreless to the final horn.
GAME NOTES
-Air Force notched its second-ever NCAA Tournament win in the victory, marking the first time since beating Richmond in a play-in game in 2014.
-The Falcons are now on a seven-game winning streak, the longest since 2015 and the fourth longest active win streak in the NCAA.
-Robert Morris was on a six-game win streak at Joe Walton Stadium prior to Air Force coming to town. The Falcons are now on a three-game winning streak at Robert Morris.
-Caelan Driggs is now the all-time single-season goals leader with 58 goals, overtaking previous record holder Mike Crampton's 48 in 2015.
-Josh Yago is now the all-time single-season assists leader with 36, overtaking previous record holder Keith Dreyer's 31 in 2014. His 154 career points are now fifth-most in the record book.
-Air Force and Maryland met in the 1971 NCAA Tournament where the Terrapins bested the Falcons, 10-1.
SIGNIFICANT STATS
-Caelan Driggs put up five goals in the effort, marking his eighth game straight with a hat trick-plus performance and his 13th hat trick overall this season.
-Josh Yago impressed with two goals and three assists, upping his career assists count to 76 which is third most in the record book despite missing his freshman season to injury.
-The Falcons picked up 36 ground balls to equal their season high mark for the third time. Seven Falcons pick up three ground balls apiece, including AF ground balls leader Cole Cunningham who now has 83.
-Freshman LSM Hee-Cheol Shin led the defensive stand with three caused turnovers and three ground balls to his credit, while Driggs caused three from the offensive third.
UP NEXT
Air Force travels East to College Park, Maryland, to take on the No. 2 seed Maryland Terrapins on Sunday, May 11. Action at SECU Stadium is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Fans can watch the game live on ESPNU with Drew Carter and Matt Ward on the call.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First quarter
RMU struck early as Luke Prezioso assisted David Burr at 14:20 on the clock. Caelan Driggs and Wes Peene responded in order with unassisted goals at 11:30, 10:40, and 9:22. Burr responded with his second goal to bring RMU back within one with help from Joel McCormick. Driggs, for his 13th hat trick of the season, notched his third goal coming from the near flank to re-extend 4-2. Josh Yago pushed the lead one goal further with help from Cole Rassas at 2:44 for a 5-2 lead. RMU, in the waning seconds of the quarter, were able to net a goal but it was called off on a violation.
Second quarter
Air Force continued to pour it on out of the break with Driggs' fourth goal at 12:33 and a strike from Cole Rassas just over a minute later (11:30). RMU was able to stop the hemorrhaging behind their man in goal five straight saves against the Falcon offense hitting on all cylinders. The Colonials finally got their response at 3:15 remaining in the first half as Burr hit his hat trick goal with help from Graeme MacLennan. RMU clawed back into the game with another goal, this time from Nolan Barker in a man-up situation at the 1:36 mark. Air Force entered the halftime break with a 7-4 lead.
Third quarter
The Falcons rebuilt to a 9-5 lead out of the break behind goals from Alexander Stepney (10:51) and Wes Peene (9:27). Josh Yago and Luke Vrsansky provided assists, respectively. McCormick fed Calum Brennan for his 49th goal of the season at 6:33. Wes Peene responded with his hat trick goal just under two minutes later (4:48), this time with help from Mana Wilhelm. A mere 39 seconds later, RMU's Burr notched his fourth goal in response to bring the score to 10-7. The teams closed the quarter at the same score.
Fourth quarter
RMU was first to score out of the break, scoring their eighth goal at 14:24 behind Graeme MacLennan. Following an offsides penalty by RMU, the Falcons capitalized on the extra man opportunity with Driggs' fifth goal via Yago's helper at 11:39. As RMU dropped back on their heels, Air Force stepped on the gas, scoring two goals in succession at 9:28 and 7:39, this time from Vrsansky and Yago. Peene assisted Yago in his second goal. Refusing to go down without a fight, RMU's Burr tallied his fifth goal with help from McCormick to bring the Colonials back within four goals,13-9. As RMU made its final push, a near goal ignited the home crowd but it was called off – in the commotion of Colonials' disbelief, AF freshman long pole Aidan Chairs scooped up the ball and launched it 70 yards into an unattended net, pushing Air Force to a 14-9 lead at 2:30 remaining. AF successfully held RMU scoreless to the final horn.
Team Stats
AFA
RMU
Shots
34
29
Turnovers
19
23
Caused Turnovers
8
7
Faceoffs Won
10
17
Extra-Man Opps
4
4
Ground Balls
36
41
Game Leaders
Players
G
5
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
3
CT
0
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
Players Mentioned
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Coach Wilson NCAA Tournament at RMU Post Game
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