Air Force Academy
Dayton
Falcons Blank Dayton, 3-0
9/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 13, 2009
Three different players scored and senior Jim Gullo posted his fourth career shutout Sunday as the Air Force men's soccer team defeated the University of Dayton, 3-0, at Cadet Soccer Stadium. Junior John Tilton notched the first goal of his career and seniors Steven Noller and Kevin Rosser also scored as the Falcons improved to 2-1-1 this season. Dayton fell to 0-3-1.
Tilton opened the scoring with his first collegiate goal in the 37th minute when a corner kick from Rosser slid through everyone in the box and landed in front of Tilton on the far post. Tilton did the rest by placing a shot between Dayton goalie Tyler Picard and the near post. Rosser collected his third assist in four games, all coming off corner kicks.
Noller, who narrowly missed scoring in the 54th minute when his header found the crossbar and his ensuing point-blank shot was saved by Picard, finally found the back of the net in the 62nd minute with a shot from about six yards out. Sophomore John Melcher sent a pass through the defense to senior Josh Rhynard, who found Noller all alone in the middle of the box. Noller knocked it past Picard for his second goal in as many games. Melcher's assist was the first point of his career.
Rosser put the game away with just over three minutes remaining with a rocket shot from 25 yards that Picard jumped for and got a hand on, but the ball dropped in the net behind him for Rosser's first goal of the season. He leads the team with five points this season.
Gullo was solid once again in the nets for Air Force, as he had to make only two saves in posting his first shutout of the season. He has allowed just three goals in Air Force's four games this campaign.
For the second consecutive game, the Falcons dominated the statistical game. Air FOrce outshot Dayton 20-11, including an 11-6 advantage in the second half.
"This is the strongest I've seen us play a Sunday game the past two years," said Air Force head coach Doug Hill. "Our midfielders really controlled the field today. As important as scoring the three goals today was getting the shutout. We stayed aggressive and put pressure on them the entire game."
Dayton's best scoring chance came with four minutes remaining in the game as Peter Chilemena found himself behind the Falcon defense but his shot hit square off the crossbar. Alex Torda had the other shot on goal for Dayton and Picard made seven saves.
The Falcons, who scored at least three goals in a game for just the second time since the beginning of the 2006 season, return to action on Saturday, Sept. 19 to host service-academy rival Army beginning at 7 p.m.
