Air Force Academy
College of Charleston
Falcons Dominate College of Charleston, 3-1
9/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 16, 2011
Brian Klazura scored in the first five minutes and Garrett Getschow and John Melcher each added a second-half tally to lead the Air Force men's soccer team to a 3-1 victory Friday over College of Charleston at Cadet Soccer Stadium. With the win, Air Force's third straight, the Falcons improved to 4-1, while the Cougars, who received votes in this week's NSCAA national poll, fell to 3-2-1.
Klazura opened the scoring just 4:17 into the game with his fourth goal of the season. Freshman Zachary Modly stole the ball near midfield and passed to Getschow who found Klazura streaking behind the Cougar defense. Klazura gathered the ball and fired a shot from eight yards out past Charleston goalie Kees Heemskirk. Despite dominating the action in the first stanza, it was the only goal of the half for Air Force.
The Falcons came out flying in the second half as well and Getschow put them up 2-0 with a dazzling game-winning goal in the 63rd minute. Getschow took a pass from Kevin Durr and deked three Charleston defenders before slipping a shot underneath Heemskirk for his fourth goal, and second game-winner, of the season. Melcher added AFA's final goal in the 78th minute with a similar play, dribbling through the defense for about 30 yards before firing a point-blank shot past Heemskirk.
The only blemish on the Falcons' slate was a penalty kick by C of C's Ralphie Lundy that got past a diving Matt Underwood in the 83rd minute. The Cougars received the PK after Sean De Silva sent a free kick into the box and a teammate was knocked down.
Despite the PK, Underwood was brilliant throughout the game. He made a season-high seven saves and also intercepted several crossing passes in the box. The Falcon defense was also stout all night, allowing just eight shots on goal, and has still not allowed more than two goals in any game this year.
"I was really proud of the way we came out tonight," said Air Force head coach Doug Hill. "We had some precision passing on our counterattack for the first goal and we didn't give their top forwards many clean opportunities. Matt Underwood played a great game, especially covering the far post. We were very active and gave an extremely solid effort."
The Falcons were outshot 22-16 in total shots and the shots on goal were even at eight apiece. De Silva led all players with eight shots, but just one on goal, while Klazura and Getschow each attempted a team-high three for Air Force.
Air Force, off to its best start since the 2001 season, returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 18 when it hosts Buffalo at 11 a.m.
