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The Air Force Falcons are the 71st and final team in our 2018 schedule preview series and the eighth and final team from the SoCon. The Falcons went 12-6 and won the SoCon for the second straight season before losing to Denver in the NCAA First Round. They were also involved with an investigation in the fall surrounding their program, but it appears all is well in Colorado Springs.
Here’s the entire 2018 schedule:
Air Force’s 2018 Schedule
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Special Notes | Last Year's Meeting(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Special Notes | Last Year's Meeting(s) |
| 1/28 | Air Force | Notre Dame | Scrimmage | |
| 2/3 | Air Force | Duke | 11-10 W | |
| 2/10 | Denver | Air Force | 14-6 L, 17-10 L | |
| 2/17 | Air Force | Marist | 10-4 L | |
| 2/23 | Cleveland State | Air Force | In Denver, Colorado | 16-2 W |
| 3/3 | Boston University | Air Force | 8-6 L | |
| 3/9 | Air Force | Michigan | First meeting since 2014 (15-12 W); Former ECAC rivals | |
| 3/11 | Air Force | Detroit Mercy | 13-8 W | |
| 3/17 | VMI | Air Force | SoCon | 14-4 W |
| 3/24 | Mercer | Air Force | SoCon | 14-6 W |
| 3/27 | Air Force | Cornell | First meeting since 1968 (9-6 L in Boca Raton, Florida) | |
| 3/31 | Air Force | Bellarmine | SoCon | 20-2 W |
| 4/7 | Air Force | Jacksonville | SoCon | 10-9 W/OT, 11-8 W |
| 4/14 | Furman | Air Force | SoCon | 8-7 L |
| 4/21 | High Point | Air Force | SoCon | 16-11 W |
| 4/28 | Air Force | Richmond | SoCon | 9-7 W, 9-6 W |
The Falcons add Cornell and Michigan to the fold and take out Canisius and Marquette.
Let’s check out some notable games on this schedule:
Best Nonconference Game: vs. Boston University
The Terriers are a team on the rise, and it showed last year, when they defeated the Falcons, 8-6. BU went to their first ever Patriot League Tournament as well, and start this season at 19 in the Face-Off Yearbook rankings.
Best Conference Game: @ Richmond
Somehow, Air Force is Richmond’s kryptonite, especially in SoCon Championship games. The Spiders were ranked for most of last season, but just couldn’t get past the Falcons in SoCon play. With most of Air Force’s team coming back, including key contributors Chris Walsch and Nick Hruby, maybe that trend continues in 2018.
Under The Radar Game: @ Michigan
The Wolverines are a team that saw progress last year, going 8-6 overall for their first winning season in program history. With a new coach in Kevin Conry and a new facility, Michigan will continue to take steps forward and try to fit in with the Ohio States and Penn States of the lacrosse world.
Possible Upset: @ Jacksonville
Besides Furman, the Dolphins gave Air Force the toughest time last season. In Colorado Springs, Jacksonville nearly earned their first victory in overtime, but the Falcons overcame a four-goal deficit. They faced each other again in the SoCon semifinals, but Air Force took that meeting by three. In JU’s home territory and with most of their players back, could a third time be the charm for John Galloway?
For other schedules and team rosters, check out our Men’s Division I matrix.