Air Force Academy
Providence
Falcon Lacrosse Downs Providence in OT Thriller, 18-17
3/21/2026 1:25:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
PROVIDENCE – Air Force put up a season-high 18 goals on Chapey Field and Anderson Stadium, downing Providence in overtime, 18-17. The Falcons, now 2-6 after snapping a six-game skid, close the non-conference schedule on a high note.
Senior team captain Caelan Driggs went postal on the Friars, scoring a career-best eight goals, becoming the first Falcon to achieve the feat since Mike Crampton in 2014. The Falcon attempted 13 shots on the game with nine coming on goal.
Freshman standout Christian Schweiger put a six-point performance for the third time this season, this time tallying to goals with four assists. He leads Air Force with 27 points while tying with Driggs for most goals at 16.
C4C Ben Heidt had a career day with a personal best four goals highlighted by the overtime game-winner. Heidt has scored in six-straight games and has 12 goals to his credit. Three other Falcons tallied goals in Luke Vrsansky, Lee Krotee, and AJ Serna. Krotee's goals marked the first of his collegiate career. Senior teammate Cole Rassas dished three assists in the offensive effort.
Matt Deedy was exceptional in goal, making a career-high 15 saves to fend off a high-powered Providence team. Air Force struggled at the center dot, winning just 13 faceoffs in 37 attempts. The Falcons also picked up nine fewer ground balls than the Friars.
Air Force exploded off the blocks in the first quarter, outscoring Providence 6-1 in the first 15 minutes. Driggs was the first and last Falcon to score in the quarter, picking up a hat trick 14:26 into the game. Rassas and Vrsansky dished two assists apiece. The Friars' Rhett Chambers stopped the bleeding with a goal at 0:02 on the first-quarter clock.
Providence scored three-straight goals to start the second quarter, bringing the score to 6-4 in favor of AF. Ben Heidt killed the scoring run with help from AJ Serna. The teams went back-and-forth in scoring up to 9-7. With strikes from Driggs and Krotee, Air Force entered the halftime locker room leading, 11-7.
Krotee got the Falcons going in the third quarter, notching his second goal two minutes into the half. Providence responded with a pair of goals to bring the Friars within two, 13-11. AF extended to 15-11 behind Driggs fifth and six goals and Heidt's third, closing the quarter with a four-goal lead.
The fourth quarter was controlled by Providence as they outscored the Falcons, 6-2. Driggs was the only Falcon to score in the fourth quarter while PC put up two three-goal runs. Sam Brazell hit the tying goal with just 17 seconds left in the game.
The overtime period was a wild ride as Air Force went man down after a push called on Cole Rassas. With the EMO and ball in hand, Providence turned it over and AF collected, cleared and setup Ben Heidt who the game-winning shot.
Next up, the Falcons return to USAFA to open ASUN Conference play against Jacksonville on March 28. Action at Falcon Stadium is scheduled for noon MT. Fans can tune into a live broadcast on ESPN+.
