Air Force Academy
Stanford
Falcons Drop 3-2 Decision to Stanford
9/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 25, 2009
Stanford scored three unanswered goals within a span of 27 minutes Friday night to lead the Cardinal men's soccer team to a 3-2 victory over Air Force in the first round of the Stanford Nike Classic in Palo Alto, Calif. Air Force, which had its four-game unbeaten streak snapped, fell to 3-2-1 this season, while Stanford improved to 5-1.
The Falcons took a 1-0 lead 17:11 into the game when senior Steven Noller notched his team-leading third goal of the season after taking a through pass from freshman Zane Dydasco and placed a shot past Cardinal goalie John Moore. Senior Josh Rhynard also collected an assist on the play.
Stanford evened the score at 1-all in the 24th minute when Bobby Warshaw knocked a penalty kick past Falcon netminder Jim Gullo. Adam Jahn gave Stanford a 2-1 lead in the 32nd minute after taking a pass from Daniel Leon and firing a shot past Gullo.
After Air Force freshman goalie Mike Mauro entered the game to begin the second half for his first career appearance, Warshaw gave Stanford an insurmountable 3-1 lead with his second tally of the game in the 51st minute. Michael Strickland sent a crossing pass into the box off a free kick that Warshaw dove for and headed into the net past Mauro.
Falcon senior Jared Gomez closed the scoring with his first career goal in the 64th minute. Noller collected the ball in the midfield and found sophomore Ben Chavez . Chavez then one-touched a pass to Gomez, who found the back of the net.
The Cardinal outshot Air Force, 20-9, and held a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal. Noller and Jahn each had a game-high three shots on goal. Gullo made four saves and Mauro had two for Air Force, while Moore made two saves for Stanford.
Air Force continues play in the Stanford Nike Classic on Sunday when it faces No. 4 California in Berkeley, Calif. Cal dropped a 2-1 decision to New Mexico on Friday. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. (PT).
