Nigro leads Air Force Past Sacramento State, 2-1

Oct. 20, 2006

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Junior Andy Nigro scored both goals for Air Force Friday night to lead the Falcon men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Sacramento State at Cadet Soccer Stadium. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for Air Force, which improved to 3-10-1 overall and 2-4 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Sacramento State fell to 5-10 overall and 2-4 in the MPSF.

Sacramento State opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Jack Jones notched his third goal of the season. Jones took a pass from Zlatan Kuckovic and went far post from 15 yards against Falcon goalie Brian Guyette. Eli Millan also posted an assist.

Nigro evened the score less than three minutes later after a flurry of Air Force shots against Sacramento State goalie Andrew Gangnuss. Junior Chris Mathews fired a shot from point blank range that Gangnuss saved but could not corral and Nigro was on the doorstep to send the rebound into the net.

Air Force revved up the offense in the first half, attempting 16 total shots and 11 shots on goal, more than the Falcons had in any game so far this season. Gangnuss made several saves from just in front of the net and many other shots were blocked by the Hornet defense.

Both defenses clamped down in the second half, and the only goal came when Nigro sent a cross that hit the far post then inadvertently bounced off Hornet Jack Jones past Gangnuss into the goal. Guyette made two huge saves in the 76th minute to hold the lead. Jones fired a rocket from 22 yards that Guyette dove for and got a hand on, then Pedro Lupercio had a chance with the rebound, but Guyette stoned him to keep the score 2-1.

Sacramento State attempted 12 shots in the second half for a game total of 17, while Air Force had just five in the half and 21 for the game.

Air Force plays its final home game of the season on Sunday, Oct. 22 against San Jose State beginning at 1 p.m.

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