Air Force Academy

March 25, 2010

The Air Force lacrosse team visits in-state rival Denver this weekend, March 27. The first of two games between the teams this season, Saturday's match-up is being designated a non-conference contest. The game is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m. at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.

Watch it on the Web...
Live stats for Saturday's game will be available at denverpioneers.com, as well as via a direct link on goairforcefalcons.com. In addition, there will be a live video broadcast streamed from Denver's website, available by subscription only.

Last Time Out...
Earlier this week, Air Force found itself in a defensive battle against Siena in a road non-conference contest, coming up short in a 5-2 loss to the Saints.

Senior Jimmy Curran scored both goals for the Falcons, while sophomore Adam Paranka assisted on both Air Force scores. Meanwhile, junior goalkeeper Brian Wilson had a strong performance between the pipes for the Falcons, tallying 10 saves for a season-best .667 save percentage.

Scouting the Falcons...
Air Force enters this weekend's contest with a 1-5 overall record after dropping a 5-2 non-conference decision to Siena on Tuesday.

Junior Zack Carroll is the Falcons' leading scorer on the season with 15 points, including a team-best 10 goals. Meanwhile, senior Ridge Flick (5g, 7a) and sophomore Adam Paranka (6g, 6a) are second on the team with 12 points each. In addition, goalkeeper Brian Wilson has tallied 52 saves on the year and holds a .515 save percentage.

Scouting the Pioneers...
Denver, which was receiving votes in both the latest USILA coaches poll and the Nike/Inside Lacrosse media poll, enters this weekend with a 4-4 overall record. The Pioneers are coming off a 13-12 victory over then-15th-ranked Stony Brook.

Series Records...
This weekend, Air Force and Denver will meet for the 68th time in the all-time series, with the Falcons holding a 52-15 advantage. Last season, Air Force broke a six-game series win streak by Denver, earning a 10-7 road victory over the Pioneers.

Air Force in the Statistical Rankings...
In the latest national statistical rankings released by the NCAA (through games of March 21), Air Force ranks in the top 35 in a pair of categories. The Falcons rank 26th in caused turnovers per game (7.8) and are tied for 34th in man-up offense (.333).

In addition, the Falcons have a few players who are ranked among the top 30 nationally in various statistical categories. Bryan Gilbreath leads the way, ranking eighth in the nation in ground balls per game (6.0). Freshman defender Kyle Nazarek is tied for 26th in caused turnovers per game (1.6), while goalkeeper Brian Wilson ranks 30th in the country in goals against average (10.25).

How They Rate...
Through games of March 21, Denver ranks in the top 30 nationally in shot percentage (19th/.316), saves per game (T20th/11.75), caused turnovers per game (T23rd/8.25), ground balls per game (25th/30.63), scoring offense (27th/10.38), man-up offense (29th/.364) and win percentage (T29th/.500).

Cameron Flint ranks 16th in the nation in shot percentage (.517), while Dillon Roy is 16th in caused turnovers per game (1.88). Meanwhile, goalkeeper Zander Buteux ranks 20th (.538) and 24th (9.69), respectively, in saves percentage and goals against average.

A Defensive Effort...
In its game against Siena, the Falcons allowed a season-low five goals in the contest. The five goals are the fewest allowed by Air Force since March 1, 2009, when Sacred Heart scored just five goals in a win by the Falcons.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Brian Wilson, who faced 29 shots against the Saints, recorded 10 saves and finished with a .667 save percentage for the contest, a season high.

Up Next...
The Falcons wrap up their four-game road swing with a visit to Moon Township, Pa., where they will face Robert Morris in a non-conference contest. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.

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