Falcons Open MPSF Tournament on Thursday Against Denver

Nov. 10, 2009

Game #17
Air Force Falcons vs. Denver Pioneers
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009
7 p.m. at Denver, CO
Quarterfinals - MPSF Tournament

RECORDS
Air Force: 7-8-1, 2-5-0 MPSF
Denver: 5-9-3, 2-4-1 MPSF

RECENT RESULTS
Air Force
L vs. Denver, 2-0

Denver
W at Air Force, 2-0

COACHES
Doug Hill (USAFA, 1983)
Air Force: 17-33-2, Third Season
Overall: Same

Bobby Muuss (Connecticut, 1999)
Denver: 24-20-9, 3rd Season
Overall: Same

Falcons Open MPSF Tourney on Thursday
The Air Force Falcons open the 2009 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 12 against the University of Denver in the quarterfinals. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Air Force is the tournament's No. 5 seed after finishing the regular season with a 7-8-1 overall record and 2-5 mark the MPSF, while the Pioneers the fourth-seeded team and finished 5-9-3 overall and 2-4-1 in league play.

Air Force Falls in Season Finale
Thursday's game will be a rematch of the regular-season finale last Saturday night at Cadet Soccer Stadium. Denver defeated the Falcons, 2-0, in a game that saw Air Force sit several regular starters for most of the match. The Falcons honored seven seniors that played their final home game.

2009 MPSF Tournament Pairings
at Denver, Colo. - All times MST

Thursday, Nov. 12 - Quarterfinals
(3) San Jose State vs. (6) UNLV - 4:30 p.m.
(4) Denver vs. (5) Air Force - 7:00 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 13 - Semifinals
(1) Sacramento State vs. Lower Seed - 5:00 p.m.
(2) New Mexico vs. Higher Seed - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 15 - Championship
Semifinal Winners 1:00 p.m.

Bingaman Gets First Career Start
Air Force senior Kirk Bingaman started the first game of his career last Saturday night against Denver on Senior Night. Bingaman, who has played in eight career games, played the entire 90 minutes against the Pioneers. Meanwhile, freshmen Patrick Compton and Jake Jones each appeared in his first career game against Denver. Compton played 66 minutes, while Jones played 29.

Gullo Named Academic All-District
Air Force goalkeeper Jim Gullo has been named to the 2009 CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District 7 men's soccer team. Gullo, who currently has a 3.79 cumulative GPA in biochemistry, will now go on the ballot for Academic All-America consideration. This is the first all-district selection for Gullo.
A senior from River Forest, Ill., Gullo started the first six games of the season and has appeared in seven. He has a 3-2-1 record and an impressive 1.12 goals-against average, allowing just seven goals in his seven appearances. He made a season-high seven saves in the season opener against College of Charleston and posted back-to-back shutouts.
The district team is made up of student-athletes from Division I schools in nine states that carry at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA.

Mauro Leads MPSF in Two Stats
Air Force freshman goalkeeper Mike Mauro continues to lead the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in saves per game (4.6) and save percentage (.780). Mauro, who posted a career-high 10 saves against Seattle University on Nov. 1, has an impressive 1.41 GAA since taking over for Jim Gullo on Sept. 27.