Air Force Academy
Utah
Falcons Fall to Utah, 2-1, in Season Finale
10/31/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 31, 2008
Lauren Hair scored the game-winning goal with 11 minutes remaining in regulation Friday night to lead the University of Utah women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Air Force on senior night at Cadet Soccer Stadium. With the victory, Utah improved to 10-8-2 overall and 5-2 in the Mountain West Conference, while the Falcons finish their season at 3-14 overall and 0-7 in league play.
Hair got past the Air Force defense, took a pass from Kellie Woodfield and made a long run down the right side into the goalie box. She then fired a shot that eluded Air Force goalie Erin Wallace netted the game-winner just inside the far post. It was Hair's fifth tally of the season.
Utah got on the scoreboard first in the 32nd minute when Mallory Mitamura took a pass from Amanda Sanchez and chipped a shot from 15 yards out over Wallace's head. Falcon freshman Meagan Eissele tied the game in the 66th minute with her second goal of the year. Eissele received a crossing pass from Susan Finch and outbattled two Ute defenders to place a shot from 12 yards out past Utah goalie Hannah Turpin.
Air Force senior Roni Yadlin had two outstanding scoring chances in the final game of her career. With eight minutes left in the first half, Yadlin fired a shot from about 10 yards out that was headed for the top shelf. However, Turpin just got a hand on it and deflected it off the cross bar to keep the Falcons scoreless. Then, with just 40 seconds remaining in regulation and Air Force pushing to tie the game, Yadlin's shot from 25 yards glanced off the post.
Wallace finished with four saves in her final game as a Falcon, while Turpen made the same number for Utah. Utah outshot Air Force 13-8 in total shots and 6-5 in shots on goal.
Senior Kristen Wolverton joined Yadley and Wallace in a pre-game ceremony celebrating their careers with the Falcons.
