Overtime Goal Gives Air Force First Win of Season

Sept. 23, 2006

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Junior Chris Mathews netted his second goal of the season just 31 seconds into the second overtime period Friday, giving the Air Force men's soccer team a 1-0 victory over Creighton in Omaha, Neb. The win, Air Force's first of the season, improved the Falcons' record to 1-6-1, while Creighton fell to 4-3-2.

Mathews took a pass from freshman Josh Nannen and blasted a shot to the far post past Creighton goalie Matt Alen to snap the Bluejays' six-match unbeaten streak and their nine-match unbeaten streak at Morrison Stadium. It was the first point of Nannen's career.

Despite getting outshot 22-7 in total shots, the Falcons played a solid defensive game. Creighton outshot Air Force 13-3 in the second half and earned eight corner kicks to Air Force's one in the match. The Falcons had just three shots on goal in the game and did not even attempt a shot in the second half until 27 minutes into play.

Mathews had a great dfensive play as well. With 2:33 remaining in the first overtime, Creighton appeared to have a game won. Chris Schuler knocked a header toward the net, but Mathews cleared it just before crossing the goal line. In addition to that save, Falcon goalkeeper Brian Guyette made five saves en route to his first shutout of the campaign.

While the Falcons could muster just seven shots in the game, Creighton's Michael Kraus had eight shots, but only one on goal. Freshman Josh Rhynard led the Falcons with two shots.

THe victory was the 299th career win for Falcon head coach Lou Sagastume, who is now one win away from becoming the 25th coach in Division I history to win 300 games.

Sagastume will get that opportunity as Air Force opens play in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation next Friday, Sept. 29, when it hosts UNLV at Cadet Soccer Stadium beginning at 7 p.m.

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