Falcons Fall to Portland, 2-1, at Nike Invitational
9/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Alex Elliott and Christopher Sanders each netted first-half goals as the University of Portland men's soccer team held off the Air Force Falcons, 2-1, in the final game of the 2006 Nike Invitational on Sunday at Merlo Field in Portland, Ore. The win improves Portland's record to 1-0-2, while the Falcons drop to 0-2-1. Air Force freshman Josh Rhynard scored the lone goal for Air Force, his third goal in as many games this season.
The Washington Huskies, who got a second-half goal from Ty Harden en route to a 1-0 victory against the Vermont Catamounts earlier Sunday, were named tournament champions. Washington posted a 2-0-0 record for the weekend. UW junior forward Kevin Forrest, who recorded a hat-trick in Washington's 4-1 win against the Falcons on Friday, was voted Offensive Player of the Tournament. Vermont's senior defender Corey Bronner was named the tournament's Outstanding Defender after the Catamounts yielded just one goal.
On Sunday, the Pilots first got on the board first with their first goal of the season in the 20th minute. Off a long pass from Bryan Irwin, Elliott out-ran the Air Force defense, took a touch and ripped a shot from 15 yards out that grazed the cross bar and in. The score ended Portland's 240 minute scoreless streak.
Portland found the back of the net again 15 minutes later. In the 35th minute, Leland Wright beat a defender on the right wing and fired a cross into the box. The pass bounced off the hands of Air Force goalie Brian Guyette and Sanders, a forward, was there to punch it in. Wright was credited with the assist.
Air Force had a good look in the 39th minute when senior co-captain Brendan Greenaway sent a line drive from just out of the box towards the right post. Portland keeper Luis Robles was able to knock it down with the diving save, before grabbing the loose ball.
Air Force cut Portland's lead in half with a score in the 68th minute. Rhynard gained possession in the box, beat a couple of defenders and had an open look at the net. He punched it in to make it 2-1. Rhynard has scored all three of AFA's goals this season.
With about two minutes remaining in regulation, Air Force sophomore Reid Gaiser nearly scored the equalizer. Gaiser sent a sinking line drive towards the goal from 20 yards out. The shot missed high by a couple of inches.
Air Force outshot the Pilots 16-15, but Portland held a 10-7 advantage in the second half. Robles went the distance in the net for Portland, making three saves. Guyette countered with four saves.
The Falcons travel to Springfield, Mo., next weekend for the Quality Inn & Suites Diadora Tournament, hosted by Missouri State University. Air Force is scheduled to play Missouri State at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, and Evansville at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10.
The Washington Huskies, who got a second-half goal from Ty Harden en route to a 1-0 victory against the Vermont Catamounts earlier Sunday, were named tournament champions. Washington posted a 2-0-0 record for the weekend. UW junior forward Kevin Forrest, who recorded a hat-trick in Washington's 4-1 win against the Falcons on Friday, was voted Offensive Player of the Tournament. Vermont's senior defender Corey Bronner was named the tournament's Outstanding Defender after the Catamounts yielded just one goal.
On Sunday, the Pilots first got on the board first with their first goal of the season in the 20th minute. Off a long pass from Bryan Irwin, Elliott out-ran the Air Force defense, took a touch and ripped a shot from 15 yards out that grazed the cross bar and in. The score ended Portland's 240 minute scoreless streak.
Portland found the back of the net again 15 minutes later. In the 35th minute, Leland Wright beat a defender on the right wing and fired a cross into the box. The pass bounced off the hands of Air Force goalie Brian Guyette and Sanders, a forward, was there to punch it in. Wright was credited with the assist.
Air Force had a good look in the 39th minute when senior co-captain Brendan Greenaway sent a line drive from just out of the box towards the right post. Portland keeper Luis Robles was able to knock it down with the diving save, before grabbing the loose ball.
Air Force cut Portland's lead in half with a score in the 68th minute. Rhynard gained possession in the box, beat a couple of defenders and had an open look at the net. He punched it in to make it 2-1. Rhynard has scored all three of AFA's goals this season.
With about two minutes remaining in regulation, Air Force sophomore Reid Gaiser nearly scored the equalizer. Gaiser sent a sinking line drive towards the goal from 20 yards out. The shot missed high by a couple of inches.
Air Force outshot the Pilots 16-15, but Portland held a 10-7 advantage in the second half. Robles went the distance in the net for Portland, making three saves. Guyette countered with four saves.
The Falcons travel to Springfield, Mo., next weekend for the Quality Inn & Suites Diadora Tournament, hosted by Missouri State University. Air Force is scheduled to play Missouri State at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, and Evansville at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10.
Players Mentioned
F/MF
/ Men's Soccer
D/MF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's SoccerPathways: An Air Force Men's Soccer Alumni Story
Monday, February 02
Why Join the Air Force Academy
Monday, February 02
Air Force Soccer Facilities: Prepare Here. Perform Anywhere
Thursday, January 15
Falcons draw 1-1 against South Dakota Mines
Sunday, September 14
