Air Force Academy
Memphis
No. 25 Memphis Downs Air Force, 3-1
9/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 15, 2006
The 25th-ranked University of Memphis men's soccer team won its fourth straight game Friday night, defeating the Air Force Academy, 3-1, in front of 432 fans at Cadet Soccer Stadium. Memphis improved to 6-1 this season, while the Falcons fell to 0-5-1 with their fifth consecutive defeat.
Memphis opened the scoring in the 40th minute as Jared Britcher took a cross from Shaun Goulding and slid a shot from six yards out past Air Force goalie Brian Guyette. The Tigers took full advantage of Air Force being a man down after senior Brendan Greenaway earned a pair of yellow cards just eight seconds apart in the 35th minute and was sent off.
Jamie Gilbert gave Memphis a 2-0 lead in the 51st minute when he gathered the ball near midfield, dribbled past no less than three Air Force defenders and deposited an 18-yard rocket past Guyette. It was Gilbert's second goal of the season.
Air Force cut the lead to one when freshman Steve Noller notched the first goal of his career in the 57th minute. Noller took a pass in the middle of the field from sophomore Joe Lapinsky, turned toward the goal and blasted a shot from 22 yards past Memphis netminder Michael Goodlett.
Air Force had two outstanding scoring chances to tie the game as Noller chipped a shot that was headed away on the goal line by Memphis defender Rick Alleman with 29 minutes remaining, and freshman Kevin Rosser's shot from approximately 50 yards that went into the net was negated by a holding foul on teammate Reid Gaiser.
Air Force lost another man with just under five minutes remaining when Memphis' Brian Farrell broke free behind the Falcon defense and was one-on-one with Guyette, who came out to challenge Farrell but was called for a handball outside the box and given a red card. The Tigers' leading scorer, Kevin Walsh, fired the ensuing direct free kick from 19 yards past backup goalie Paul Elsbernd to give Memphis a 3-1 lead. After the goal, Gaiser was given a red card and the Falcons finished the game with just eight players on the field.
Memphis had only five shots on goal, while the Falcons could muster only four. Guyette had one save for Air Force, while Goodlett posted two for Memphis.
The Falcons stay at home for a game on Sunday, Sept. 17 against Alabama A&M beginning at 12 p.m.
