Lacrosse Game Notes vs Air Force

PROVIDENCE SET TO FACE AIR FORCE… The Providence men's lacrosse team is set to host Air Force on Saturday, March 21. Opening face-off is set for 12:00 p.m. on Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium in Providence, R.I.

LIVE STATS AND STREAM… The game will be streamed on Friars.com via Friars Live. Direct links to the broadcast, in addition to live stats, can be found on Friars.com by navigating to the men's lacrosse schedule.

SERIES BREAKDOWN... Saturday's game between Providence and Air Force will mark the fourth meeting between the two programs all-time. Air Force leads the series, 2-1. It will mark the first meeting between the two teams in Providence, R.I.

MOST RECENT MEETING... The teams last met during the 2008 campaign at Falcon Stadium in U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. The Friars were defeated by the Falcons, 8-7. The lone Providence College victory came in 2002 at the Pioneer Face Off Classic in Denver, Colo., where the Friars secured an 8-7 victory.

FRIARS DEFEAT QUINNIPIAC... The Providence College men's lacrosse teams defeated Quinnipiac, 12-3, on Wednesday, March 18 on Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium in Providence, R.I. Matt Lazzaro paced Providence's offense with five points on three goals and two assists. Cam Sterritt made 12 saves and allowed just three goals for a career-best .800 save percentage.

RICHIE JOSEPH MOVING UP ALL-TIME CAREER SCORING AND GOALS LIST... Senior Richie Joseph enters Saturday's game with 143 career points on 107 goals and 36 assists. He currently ranks 14th on the Friars' all-time scoring list. Joseph recently passed his former teammate Jack Horrigan '25 (140 points, 116 goals, 24 assists). Joseph also ranks fifth on the all-time career goals list.

RICHIE JOSEPH REACHES 100-GOAL MILESTONE... Richie Joseph reached 100 career goals on March 2 in the Friars 16-9 win over Merrimack. He became just the seventh player in program history to achieve the feat.

RHETT CHAMBERS RANKS SECOND IN THE BIG EAST IN ASSISTS PER GAME... Through nine games, Rhett Chambers has recorded team-highs in points (35), goals (16) and assists (19). Chambers ranks second in the BIG EAST in assists per game (2.11). He also ranks third in the BIG EAST in points per game (3.89).

THE FRIARS' OFFENSE... Rhett Chambers has paced the Friars' offense with team-bests in points (35), goals (16) and assists (19). Matt Lazzaro and Richie Joseph have also emerged as major contributors. Lazzaro is second on the team in points (27), tied for second in goals (16) and ranks second in assists (11). Richie Joseph leads Providence in goals (17) and has added four assists for 21 points. Jay Wilkerson and Chris Matia have each tallied double digit points for the Friars. Wilkerson has scored 12 goals and Matia has recorded 10 points on four goals and six assists. Sixteen players have scored at least one goal this season.

CAM STERRITT BETWEEN THE PIPES... Sophomore goaltender Cam Sterritt made his collegiate debut for the Friars this season. He has started all nine games and has compiled 108 saves with a .551 save percentage and a 10.18 goals against average. The sophomore ranks second in the BIG EAST in saves per game (12.00), save percentage (.551) and goals against average (10.18). Sterritt has recorded a .590 save percentage or better in five out of the Friars nine games.

FROM THE FACE-OFF 'X'... Chris Esposito has emerged as the Friars primary face-off man. The junior has tallied a 61-119 face-off record overall for a .513 win percentage. He ranks second in the BIG EAST in face-off percentage (.513) with a minimum of 50 attempts. Esposito is also second on the team in ground balls, with 22. Jack Cooper also has been productive from the face-off 'X' with a 37-79 mark (.468) and 12 ground balls.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS... Ian Olenik, Jack Bourget and Dean Metzger have anchored the Friars defensively this season. Long-stick midfielder Olenik leads the team in caused turnovers (14) and ground balls (24). He ranks third in the BIG EAST in caused turnovers per game (1.56). Olenik has emerged as a dual threat with three goals and three assists. Bourget ranks second on the team in caused turnovers (nine) and has picked up 13 ground balls. Metzger ranks third on the team in ground balls (17) and has registered four caused turnovers.

RHETT CHAMBERS NAMED TO THE BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL... Rhett Chambers was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on March 9. Chambers recorded 11 points on three goals and eight assists in two games last week for the Friars. He tallied a career-high 10 points on three goals and a career-best seven assists in Providence's 16-9 win over Merrimack (March 2). Chambers added one assist in the Friars 15-9 loss at Loyola Maryland (March 7).

RICHIE JOSEPH AND MATT LAZZARO NAMED TO NEILA 2026 PRESEASON WATCH LIST... Richie Joseph and Matt Lazzaro were named to the NEILA 2026 Preseason Watch List. Joseph was named to the returning players watch list while Lazzaro was named to the incoming players list.

CAM STERRITT NAMED TO THE BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL... Cam Sterritt was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the third time this season on March 2. The sophomore goalie recorded 12 saves on a .600 save percentage in the Friars 8-7 loss to Fairfield (Feb. 21).

CAM STERRITT NAMED TO THE BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL... Cam Sterritt was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Feb. 23. The sophomore goalie recorded a career-high 18 saves on a .692 save percentage in the Friars' overtime loss to Brown (Feb. 21).

RHETT CHAMBERS, IAN OLENIK AND CAM STERRITT EARN BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS... Rhett Chambers, Ian Olenik and Cam Sterritt each earned BIG EAST Weekly Honors on Feb. 9. Chambers was named Offensive Player of the Week and Olenik earned Specialist of the Week. Sterritt was featured on the Honor Roll. The awards span the first two weeks of the 2026 season. Providence defeated Holy Cross 15-10 (Jan. 31) and Bryant 16-11 (Feb. 6) during that time.

RHETT CHAMBERS NAMED USA LACROSSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK... Following his nine-point performance against Bryant - with a career-high nine points on four goals and career-best five assists - Rhett Chambers was named USA Lacrosse Player of the Week via USA Lacrosse Magazine on Feb. 10. Chambers also was named the Inside Lacrosse AXIA Time Player of the Week on Feb. 10 after winning a closely contested fan vote.

FRIARS DEFEATED BY NO. 6/5 DUKE... The Providence College men's lacrosse team was defeated by No. 6/5 Duke, 21-5, on Saturday, March 14 in Farmingdale, N.Y. Richie Joseph scored two goals while Jack Bonello recorded a career-best in assists with two.

FRIARS DEFEATED BY LOYOLA MARYLAND... The Providence College men's lacrosse team was defeated by Loyola Maryland, 15-9, on Saturday, March 7 in Baltimore, Md. Richie Joseph scored a hat trick for the Friars. Jack Bonello scored his first career goal and tallied a career-high three points.

FRIARS DEFEAT MERRIMACK... The Providence College men's lacrosse teams defeated Merrimack, 16-9, on Monday, March 2 on Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium in Providence, R.I. Rhett Chambers recorded a career high 10 points on three goals and a career best seven assists. Richie Joseph scored two goals and eclipsed 100 goals for his career. Brady Garcia scored three goals, marking the first of his career (and first hat trick).

FRIARS DEFEATED BY FAIRFIELD... The Providence College men's lacrosse team was defeated by Fairfield, 8-7, on Saturday, Feb. 28 on Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium in Providence R.I. Jay Wilkerson scored three goals for the Friars. Ian Olenik led the Friars' defense with three caused turnovers and three ground balls. Cam Sterritt recorded 12 saves on a .600 save percentage.

FRIARS FALL TO BROWN IN OVERTIME... The Providence College men's lacrosse team was defeated by Brown, 8-7, in overtime on Saturday, Feb. 21 on Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium in Providence R.I. The Friars moved to 2-2 on the season. Rhett Chambers paced the offense with two goals and two assists. Jack Bourget tallied career-highs in caused turnovers (three) and ground balls (four). Cam Sterritt recorded a career-high 18 saves on a .692 save percentage.

FRIARS DEFEATED BY NO. 12/12 HARVARD... The Providence College men's lacrosse team was defeated by No. 12/12 Harvard, 10-4, on Saturday, Feb. 14 in Cambridge Mass. It marked the Friars' first loss of the season and moved to 2-1 on the year.

FRIARS DEFEAT BRYANT... Providence defeated Bryant in its home opener, 16-11, on Feb. 6 in Providence, R.I. Rhett Chambers let the Friars' offense with a career-high nine points on four goals and a career-best five assists. Long-stick midfielder Ian Olenik recorded career-bests in caused turnovers (six) and ground balls (five). Cam Sterritt added a career-high 16 saves and posted a .593 save percentage.

FRIARS DEFEAT HOLY CROSS... Providence defeated Holy Cross, 15-10, in its season opener on Jan. 31 in Worcester, Mass. Rhett Chambers led the Friar offense with six points on a career-best four goals and added two assists. Matt Lazzaro added career-highs in points (five), goals (three) and assists (two). Jay Wilkerson also scored a career-best four goals. Cam Sterritt made his collegiate debut for the Friars in goal and recorded 10 saves and a save percentage of .600. Chris Esposito won 15-22 face-off opportunities and picked up five ground balls in his Friar debut.

TWO FRIARS EARN PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST HONORS… Attackers Richie Joseph and Rhett Chambers were named to the 2026 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. Joseph, who earned Preseason All-BIG EAST recognition for the second-straight year, also was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Joseph was one of nine unanimous selections on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. Last season, Joseph earned First-Team All-BIG EAST and BIG EAST All-Tournament Team honors.

RICHIE JOSEPH BECOMES SECOND FRIAR ALL-TIME TO BE NAMED PRESEASON BIG EAST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR... A Friar has earned Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year honors for the second-consecutive season. Richie Joseph earned the honor heading into the 2026 campaign, while Ryan Bell was recognized last season (2025). They are the only two players Providence College men's lacrosse history to earn Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, since the league began sponsoring men's lacrosse in 2010.

HOW THE FRIARS FARED IN 2025... Providence College posted a 7-8 overall record in 2025, including a 3-2 mark in the BIG EAST. The Friars earned the No. 3 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament and fell to No. 2 Villanova, 14-13, in the semifinals. The Friars compiled a 4-2 record at home on Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium and were 3-5 on the road. One of the season highlights was a 10-6 victory over No. 16 Denver in Denver, Colo. The victory helped Providence clinch a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament with one game remaining on the schedule. It also marked the Friars' first win over Denver all-time, snapping a 15-game winless streak to the Pioneers. Providence faced six nationally-ranked opponents during the 2025 season and compiled a 1-5 record.

MEET THE STAFF... Providence enters its fourth season under Head Coach Bobby Benson. He is the first coach in program history to guide the Friars to a BIG EAST berth in three-straight seasons (2023, 2024, 2025). Prior to Providence, Benson spent two seasons at Maryland as the offensive coordinator during the Terps' run to the NCAA title in 2022. Maryland registered a 33-1 record during Benson's tenure, earned two Big Ten Championships and made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Championship game. Casey Brodersen, who spent 12 seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Bryant, was hired by Bobby Benson to serve as Associate Head Coach at Providence in 2023. He helped the Bulldogs to six NEC titles and five NCAA Tournament appearances. Carroll Kennedy joined the Friars as an Assistant Coach in 2023. Kennedy worked alongside Benson at Maryland during the 2022 season and was previously named USILA Assistant Coach of the Year while at Limestone University in 2015. Shawn Ewert joined the staff for the 2024 season as an Assistant Coach. Before joining the Providence staff, Ewert spent the previous two seasons at Florida Southern, where he served as assistant coach and offensive coordinator. During his tenure, he helped guide Florida Southern to a 25-11 record.

KEY RETURNERS… The Friars are bringing back three out of their top five point scorers from last season. Richie Joseph returns for his senior season after finishing second on the team in goals (37) and assists (11), and third in points (48). Joseph was named to the All-BIG EAST First Team and the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team. Junior Rhett Chambers will look to build on his successful 2025 campaign. He finished fourth on the team in points (26), goals (18), and assists (eight), all of which marked career bests. Chambers was recognized with NEILA Division I All-New England Second Team honors. Jay Wilkerson will return for his sophomore year after finishing his rookie campaign fifth on the team in scoring with 15 points on 12 goals and three assists.

Senior Dean Metzger will anchor the Providence defense. Metzger started all 15 games for the Friars last season and recorded seven caused turnovers and 20 ground balls. Senior Ian Olenik will provide defensive support at midfield as a long stick midfielder. Olenik registered a team-best 16 caused turnovers and added 25 ground balls last season.

WELCOME TO FRIARTOWN… The Friars welcomed 12 freshmen to the men's lacrosse program in the fall of 2025. The incoming freshmen include Cooper Anderson (Minneapolis, Minn.), Jack Bonello (Great Falls, Va.), Sam Clark (Glen Ellyn, Ill.), Aiden Eriksen (Tampa, Fla.), Brady Garcia (Baldwinsville, N.Y.), Luke Jaeger (Southlake, Texas), Cannon Ridinger (Charlotte, N.C.), Nate Smith (Avon Lake, Ohio), Ben Stone (Greenwood Village, Colo.), Cam Wheelans (Oshawa, Ont.), Robby White (Whitby, Ont.) and Trent Yelton (Liberty Township, Ohio).

Additionally, three transfers joined the Friars roster in the fall of 2025. The transfers include junior Chris Esposito (Gloucester, Mass.) from Stony Brook, junior Matt Lazzaro (Franklin, Mass.) from Penn State and junior Cam Mesh (Spencerport, N.Y.) from SUNY Brockport.

FRIARS PICKED TO FINISH FIFTH IN BIG EAST PRESEASON POLL... Providence was picked to finish fifth in the 2026 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll (11 points). Georgetown was picked to win the league, having collected five first-place votes and 25 points overall. Villanova (21 points) was second and Denver (16 points) was selected third. Marquette was selected fourth (12 points). Rounding out the conference standings was St. John's (five points).

SCOUTING AIR FORCE… The Falcons have started the 2026 season with a 1-6 overall record. Most recently, Air Force was defeated by No. 8/8 Syracuse, 17-11, on March 12. Four of the Falcon's six games have been against opponents who were either ranked at the time of play, or have moved into the rankings during the course of the season.

FALCONS TO WATCH… Air Force's offense is led by freshman attackman Christian Schweiger who has recorded team-highs in points (21), goals (14) an is tied for first in assists (seven). Senior Caelan Driggs has tallied 15 points on eight goals and is tied for first on the team in assists (seven).

Senior Cole Cunningham leads Air Force's defense with a team-highs in caused turnovers (13) and ground balls (34).

Rogan Kane has been the Falcons primary face-off man this season. The sophomore has tallied a 60-136 face-off record overall for a .441 win percentage and ranks second on the team in ground balls (21).

Sophomore Matt Deedy has played all seven games in goal for Air Force. He has recorded 59 saves on a .410 save percentage and owns a 15.65 goals against average this season.

WHAT'S NEXT... The Friars will open BIG EAST play on Saturday, March 28 against Marquette. Opening face off is set for 12:30 p.m. (ET) at Valley Fields in Milwaukee, Wis. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Cooper Anderson

Ryan Bell

Jack Bonello

Jack Bourget

Rhett Chambers

Sam Clark

Jack Cooper

Aiden Eriksen

Chris Esposito

Brady Garcia

Jack Horrigan

Luke Jaeger

Richie Joseph

Matt Lazzaro

Chris Matia

Cam Mesh

Dean Metzger

Ian Olenik

Cannon Ridinger

Nate Smith

Cam Sterritt

Ben Stone

Cam Wheelans

Robby White

Jay Wilkerson

Trent Yelton

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Fairfield on February 28, 2026 , Loss , 7, to, 8

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Merrimack on March 2, 2026 , Win , 16, to, 9

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at Loyola (Md.) on March 7, 2026 , Loss , 9, to, 15

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus #6/#5 Duke on March 14, 2026 , Loss , 5, to, 21

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Quinnipiac on March 18, 2026 , Win , 12, to, 3

Upcoming Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Air Force on March 21, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Lacrosse at Marquette on March 28, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Georgetown on April 4, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Lacrosse at Villanova on April 11, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Denver on April 18, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Providence College Athletics