MLAX faces Air Force for first time since 2017

Game Notes (PDF)

MILWAUKEE – The Marquette University men's lacrosse team returns home for its final non-conference game prior to the start of BIG EAST Conference action in a Saturday matchup with the Air Force Academy at Valley Fields.

Face-off against the Falcons is slated for 11 a.m. Central time and a live broadcast will air on the Marquette Wire YouTube channel. Jack Lewandowski, Ava Mares and Aimee Galaszewski will handle the broadcast from Valley Fields as part of the coverage for the Marquette Wire, the University's student-run media organization. Live statistics will be available on GoMarquette.com.

Following this weekend's game, the Golden Eagles will host Providence on April 2 for the BIG EAST Conference opener for both squads.

THE MATCHUP: The Golden Eagles and Falcons have met twice previously in a series that dates back to Marquette's first season of competition in 2013 and includes a pair of tight contests. MU won that first meeting in Colorado Springs in just the second game in program history, an 8-6 decision against an AFA team that was receiving votes in both national polls. The last meeting came on March 28, 2017, the 40th anniversary of MU's 1977 men's basketball national championship. Marquette scored three fourth-quarter goals in that matchup to overtake the Falcons behind a hat trick from all-time scoring leader Ryan McNamara, while Andy DeMichiei and John Wagner each scored twice.

Previous meetings:
3/2/13 A W, 8-6
3/28/17 H W, 7-6

MARQUETTE (2-5): The Golden Eagles dropped a 10-7 decision at Robert Morris in their last game on March 19 despite winning 14-of-20 faceoffs. Jake Stegman and Bobby O'Grady each scored twice, while Luke Williams won 13-of-17 at the faceoff dot.

O'Grady leads Marquette with 19 goals this season and has been a consistent contributor up front for the Golden Eagles. Fellow freshman Will Foster has also stepped into the lineup on attack due to injuries and contributed a pair of assists against the Colonials.

All-BIG EAST performers Devon Cowan and Zach Granger are both out indefinitely, alongside attackman Russell Melendez, who was leading MU in points early this season. Freshman attackman Nolan Rappis also went down with a knee injury against Detroit Mercy and is done for the year.

AIR FORCE (4-4): The Falcons have won four straight games since opening the season with four losses to then-No. 1 Virginia, No. 12 Denver, Colgate and No. 13 Jacksonville. AFA pulled out its first win 9-8 over Canisius in overtime on Feb. 28 and has since beaten Marist, Bryant and Mercer. Senior Brenden Crouse leads the Falcons with 30 goals, an average of five per game, along with 36 points. Brandon Dodd is not far behind him with 32 points on 19 goals and a team-high 13 assists. Jason Rose has started all four games in net and has made 105 saves against 94 goals for a .528 save percentage. Air Force is led by fourth-year head coach Bill Wilson, who was an assistant coach on the staff during the last meeting between the two programs in 2017.

Keep up with the Marquette men's lacrosse program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteMLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteMLax) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMLax).