WHO: Air Force @ Duke
WHERE: Durham, NC
WHEN: Sunday, May 11 5:15 pm ET
WHAT: NCAA Tournament First Round Play
AIR FORCE
The military flight servicemen of Air Force have stunned the lacrosse community this season with an overall record of 11-5. However, that is not enough to overcome Duke this Sunday.
Mike Crampton leads the Falcons with 62 points (45 goals, 17 assists) and is followed closely by Keith Dreyer (48 PTS, 17 G, 31 A) and Tommy McKee (41 PTS). Doug Gouchoe has started the majority of the season in the cage for Air Force with a save percentage of 50.
Air Force’s schedule this year brought with it some stellar performances with victories over Jacksonville, Ohio State, Michigan and Fairfield. They lost to Denver, VMI, Ohio State and Quinnipiac.
I don’t think they have the ability to perform against the Blue Devils.
DUKE
Traditions of NCAA postseason success represent this school. The lacrosse program has always competed with the toughest of NCAA schools including, but not limited to, Maryland, Syracuse, Loyola, Johns Hopkins and UNC.
Coming into this matchup, the Blue Devils are boasting a record of 13-3 overall, 4-1 in their conference, and 9-0 at home this season. Guess what, Air Force? Duke carries the momentum with this home-field advantage. To add to that, only two of Duke’s victories this season were close; all the others were blow outs in their favor.
In 2014, the Blue Devils have been successful in 65 percent of their shots on goal, playing with a faceoff percentage of .583 (253-434) and have capitalized on 40 percent of their man-up opportunities, while holding their man-down defensive shortcomings to a mere 31.3 percent.
Brendan Fowler is a monster of a draw specialist, winning 60 percent and better of his faces. Jordan Wolf leads the team with 80 points (51 goals, 29 assists). He is followed by Deemer Class (56 PTS, 31 G, 25 A), Josh Dionne (50 PTS, 43 G, 7 A) and Myles Jones (42 PTS, 27 G, 15 A).
Luke Aaron has seen the majority of play in front of the cage with a save percentage of 52.9 and his backup isn’t too bad himself. Kyle Turri has a humble save percentage of 46.6.
WHO TO WATCH
Brendan Fowler will win the majority of draws. All the offensive contributors will dominate the AF defense.
Duke’s defense will have to work for their success against the AF offense, but I don’t believe it’s anything the Blue Devils are not accustomed to.
Look for Keith Dreyer to attempt at being a feeding machine and for the Blue Devil defense to attempt shutting him down.
PREDICTION
DUKE 16 AIR FORCE 9
