Falcons Host Siena To Open 2007 Season (2.22.07)

This week, the Air Force lacrosse team opens its 2007 season at home, hosting Siena in a non-conference match-up on Sunday, Feb. 25. The game is slated to start at 1:00 p.m. at Cadet Lacrosse Stadium.


Scouting the Falcons...
Air Force is looking forward to a successful season in 2007, as it returns its top scorers from last year, led by co-captain Will Meister (17g, 27a). Also returning to anchor the Falcons’ offense are sophomore Griffin Nevitt (26g, 9a), junior Kevin Crumrine (23g, 7a) and senior Conrad Lochocki (22g, 7a). In fact, Air Force returns over 90 percent of its goal production from the 2006 season, when it finished the year with a 7-8 mark.

On the flipside, the Falcons will see a new face leading the defense, as senior Dan Bellissimo takes over the goalie position, replacing graduated all-league performer Justin Pavoni. Still, there will be some veteran performers on the defensive side, including co-captain Dan Breiding and sophomore Dan Gnazzo, who had a solid freshman campaign.


Scouting the Saints...
Sunday’s game is also the season opener for Siena, which returns 76 percent of its scoring offense from a squad which notched a 4-10 overall record in 2006.

Among the leading returnees for the Saints are preseason All-MAAC selections, senior Matt Donovan and sophomore Matt Girsh. Donovan led the nation in assists with 2.5 per game, while Girsh was fourth in the nation in goals per game with 2.57.


In the Series...
Air Force is undefeated all-time against Siena, holding a 4-0 advantage in the series. The teams met last year, with the Falcons picking up a 12-8 victory.


Season Openers...
The Falcons are 27-13 all-time in season openers and have two of their last three season openers.

The last time Air Force opened the season at home was in 2002, when the Falcons picked up an 11-6 victory.


Air Force at Home...
This weekend’s home contest will be a rare occurrence for the Falcons this season, who have just one more home game on their schedule. In comparison, Air Force played eight of its 15 games at home last season, winning six.


Falcons Involved in ASA...
The Air Force lacrosse team has become involved in the America Supporting Americans (ASA) Foster-a-Unit program. The Falcons have used some of their free time to assemble care packages for a deployed Army unit.

For more information on ASA and its Adopt-a-Unit and Foster-a-Unit programs, visit www.asa-usa.org.


Up Next...
The Falcons head up the road next weekend to take part in the annual Pioneer Face-Off Classic, hosted by Denver. Air Force will face No. 20 UMBC at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 3. The Falcons then wrap up the weekend on Sunday, March 4 with an 11:00 a.m. contest against Villanova.