Saturday, February 7
Denver, CO
12:00PM
Air Force Academy
at
Denver
Falcon Lacrosse Takes the Fight to Denver on Saturday
2/6/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
GAME 02
Air Force (1-0) at Denver (1-0)
12pm MT, Saturday, February 7
Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium – Denver, Colo.
Air Force takes the fight up I-25 to take on in-state rival, University of Denver (1-0), Saturday afternoon at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Faceoff is set for 12 p.m. MT, and the game will be streamed on Midco Sports Plus and ESPN Denver 1600.
A Brief History
Since 1999, The University of Denver has won 26 of the 29 meetings with the Falcons. Last year, the 14th-ranked Denver Pioneers handed Air Force a 14-8 loss in the Falcon Stadium opener. Five Falcons accounted for eight goals, Caelan Driggs scored two while Nick Walter scored his first collegiate goal in the effort.
In 2024, DU outscored AF, 11-9, at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Caelan Driggs put up four goals on the Pioneers in that meeting. Three seasons ago in 2023, 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 and Hunter Panzik scored a goal apiece in the win.
3-for-3
Three Falcons tallied hat tricks in the season opener win against Lafayette. Calean Driggs, who now has 19 career hat tricks, scored three goals and an assist. Luke Vrsansky tallied three goals including the eventual game winner. Freshman standout Christan Schweiger led the offense with five points via three goals and a pair of helps.
Driggs Hits the Century Mark
Senior attack Caelan Driggs notched his 100th career goal in game one of the 2026 campaign. He is now fourth in the record book in career goals. A 30-goal season will tie Driggs with Mike Crampton for the program record (127, 2011-14), while anything more pushes the bar to new heights. Last season, Driggs' 60 goals set a single season record for Air Force. He is one-of-five Falcons to score over 100 goals since 1994.
More About Air Force
In the midfield, preseason All-ASUN selections Cole Rassas and Mana Wilhelm are returning for their senior and junior campaign, respectively. The duo combined for 24 goals and 24 assists last season.
2025 ASUN Specialist of the Year, Cole Cunningham, will be wielding the long pole for his senior year. Cunningham led the Falcons with 85 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers last season. SSDM junior Charlie Pyfer who scooped up 35 GBs and caused 11 turnovers can be expected to make waves in his junior season. Team captain Matt Rosato and 2025 ASUN All-Freshman Aidan Chairs will anchor the defense.
With three young goalies on the roster, it is yet to be determined who will be the primary. Matt Deedy, a sophomore, saw action in four games last season and got the start in the season opener. The remaining GKs are newly minted C4Cs.
A Look at the Pioneers
Denver will look to defend Barton Stadium with an iron fist after walloping Cleveland State, 20-1, in the season opener last weekend. The Pios scored 18 goals before the Vikings tallied their one goal in the fourth quarter.
Chase Bruno led Denver in points with five in his Pioneer debut after transferring from RIT. Bruno netted a pair of 2-of-5 shooting and had three assists.
Cody Malawsky and Watt Muir each had hat tricks for the Pioneers. Malawsky added a helper for a four-point day. Rory Graham added four points as well with a pair of goals and two helpers.
In his Pioneer debut, Luke Smeader went 10-for-14 from the faceoff stripe, picking up three ground balls.
On the defensive side of the ball, Seamus Faulkner led the Pioneers with three caused turnovers. Russell Overly also added a pair of thefts.
-courtesy of Niko Blakenship
A Look Ahead
Air Force returns to Falcon Stadium to host Ohio State on Saturday, February 14. Action at the Academy is scheduled for 11 a.m. A broadcast will be available on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at GoAirForceFalcons.com
Air Force (1-0) at Denver (1-0)
12pm MT, Saturday, February 7
Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium – Denver, Colo.
Air Force takes the fight up I-25 to take on in-state rival, University of Denver (1-0), Saturday afternoon at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Faceoff is set for 12 p.m. MT, and the game will be streamed on Midco Sports Plus and ESPN Denver 1600.
A Brief History
Since 1999, The University of Denver has won 26 of the 29 meetings with the Falcons. Last year, the 14th-ranked Denver Pioneers handed Air Force a 14-8 loss in the Falcon Stadium opener. Five Falcons accounted for eight goals, Caelan Driggs scored two while Nick Walter scored his first collegiate goal in the effort.
In 2024, DU outscored AF, 11-9, at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Caelan Driggs put up four goals on the Pioneers in that meeting. Three seasons ago in 2023, 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 and Hunter Panzik scored a goal apiece in the win.
3-for-3
Three Falcons tallied hat tricks in the season opener win against Lafayette. Calean Driggs, who now has 19 career hat tricks, scored three goals and an assist. Luke Vrsansky tallied three goals including the eventual game winner. Freshman standout Christan Schweiger led the offense with five points via three goals and a pair of helps.
Driggs Hits the Century Mark
Senior attack Caelan Driggs notched his 100th career goal in game one of the 2026 campaign. He is now fourth in the record book in career goals. A 30-goal season will tie Driggs with Mike Crampton for the program record (127, 2011-14), while anything more pushes the bar to new heights. Last season, Driggs' 60 goals set a single season record for Air Force. He is one-of-five Falcons to score over 100 goals since 1994.
More About Air Force
In the midfield, preseason All-ASUN selections Cole Rassas and Mana Wilhelm are returning for their senior and junior campaign, respectively. The duo combined for 24 goals and 24 assists last season.
2025 ASUN Specialist of the Year, Cole Cunningham, will be wielding the long pole for his senior year. Cunningham led the Falcons with 85 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers last season. SSDM junior Charlie Pyfer who scooped up 35 GBs and caused 11 turnovers can be expected to make waves in his junior season. Team captain Matt Rosato and 2025 ASUN All-Freshman Aidan Chairs will anchor the defense.
With three young goalies on the roster, it is yet to be determined who will be the primary. Matt Deedy, a sophomore, saw action in four games last season and got the start in the season opener. The remaining GKs are newly minted C4Cs.
A Look at the Pioneers
Denver will look to defend Barton Stadium with an iron fist after walloping Cleveland State, 20-1, in the season opener last weekend. The Pios scored 18 goals before the Vikings tallied their one goal in the fourth quarter.
Chase Bruno led Denver in points with five in his Pioneer debut after transferring from RIT. Bruno netted a pair of 2-of-5 shooting and had three assists.
Cody Malawsky and Watt Muir each had hat tricks for the Pioneers. Malawsky added a helper for a four-point day. Rory Graham added four points as well with a pair of goals and two helpers.
In his Pioneer debut, Luke Smeader went 10-for-14 from the faceoff stripe, picking up three ground balls.
On the defensive side of the ball, Seamus Faulkner led the Pioneers with three caused turnovers. Russell Overly also added a pair of thefts.
-courtesy of Niko Blakenship
A Look Ahead
Air Force returns to Falcon Stadium to host Ohio State on Saturday, February 14. Action at the Academy is scheduled for 11 a.m. A broadcast will be available on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at GoAirForceFalcons.com
Players Mentioned
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