Air Force Opens 2006 Season Saturday At Villanova (2/17/06)

The Air Force lacrosse team opens its 2006 season on the road, as it travels to Villanova. The Falcons will take on the Wildcats at noon (ET) on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Villanova Stadium in Villanova, Pa.


The Outlook...
The 2006 Air Force lacrosse team returns eight seniors, all hardened veterans, and the Falcons are quietly confident and looking forward to a very successful 2006 season. This confidence is borne from a number of factors, including the return of the Falcons’ four top scorers. Juniors Will Meister, Conrad Lochocki, Justin Kuchta and sophomore Kevin Crumrine all return to lead the Falcon offense. In addition, the return of all-league goalie Justin Pavoni, who ranked fourth in the nation last season in ground balls per game, will provide the Falcons with one of the best athletes in the country.

Providing necessary leadership for this year’s squad are the Falcons’ trio of captains—Meister and seniors Paul Adams and Max Miller. Though only a junior, Meister has proven himself an efficient leader for the Falcons, pacing the team with 16 goals and 23 assists last season. Adams, a four-year starter for the Falcons, will lead the corps of Air Force midfielders on both ends of the field, while Miller, who notched two goals and four assists in 2005, will help provide leadership and experience to the strong Falcon offense.


Scouting the Wildcats...
Saturday’s game is also the season opener for Villanova, which returns six starters and 30 letterwinners from a squad which notched a 7-8 record in 2005.

Among the leading returnees for the Wildcats All-CAA selections are seniors Joe Canuso and Matt Starker. Canuso, a senior goalkeeper, finished fourth in the nation last season in both GAA (7.03) and save percentage (.618), while Starker led the team in both goals (25) and assists.


In the Series...
The Wildcats hold a 6-2 advantage in the all-time series versus the Falcons. The teams last met in 2002, when Villanova picked up an 8-7 win at home. Meanwhile, the last Air Force victory in the series came in 1996, when the Falcons defeated the Wildcats 14-6.


Season Openers...
The Falcons are 27-12 all-time in season openers. Air Force has won three of its last four season openers, including a 12-8 road win over service academy rival VMI last season.


Up Next...
The Falcons return to Colorado next week for the annual Pioneer Face-Off Classic, hosted by Denver. Air Force will first take on North Carolina at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25. The Falcons then wrap up the weekend on Sunday, Feb. 26 with an 11:00 a.m. contest against Manhattan.

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Melissa McKeown
U.S. Air Force Academy
Assistant Athletic Media Relations Director
719.333.9025 (office)
719.333.3798 (fax)
719.331.8321 (cell)