Falcons Host UMKC and Houston Baptist This Weekend
10/9/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 9, 2013
Game #9
Air Force Falcons vs. UMKC Kangaroos
Friday, Oct. 11 / 7:30 p.m.
Cadet Soccer Stadium / USAFA, CO
Game #10
Air Force Falcons vs. Houston Baptist Huskies
Sunday, Oct. 13 / 1:30 p.m.
Cadet Soccer Stadium / USAFA, CO
Falcons Open WAC Play at Home on Friday
The Air Force men's soccer team returns to action this weekend by hosting a pair of Western Athletic Conference games at Cadet Soccer Stadium. The Falcons will play UMKC on Friday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Houston Baptist on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 1:30 p.m.
The Falcons enter the game with an 0-8 record after losing to 23rd-ranked Cal Poly 5-1 at home on Sept. 27. AFA's game against Grand Canyon scheduled for last Saturday night at Cadet Soccer Stadium was not played due to the government shutdown. Houston Baptist (6-2, 1-0 WAC)defeated UMKC (1-5-3, 0-1) last Saturday night, 2-1, in the league opener for both teams.
Last Week's Game vs. Grand Canyon Postponed
Air Force's game vs. Grand Canyon scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5 at Cadet Soccer Stadium was postponed due to the government shutdown. At this time it is unknown whether or not the game will be rescheduled.
Falcons Pretty Successful in Conference Openers
Air Force is 11-8-2 in its 21 conference openers. The Falcons, who won all three of their openers as a member of the WAC from 1996-98, defeated Denver 1-0 last season in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation opener.
Back to the WAC
After spending the last 14 years playing in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, the Falcons will begin play, once again, in the Western Athletic Conference in 2013. Air Force was a member of the WAC from 1996-98 before breaking off with seven other schools to form the Mountain West Conference. The MWC did not offer men's soccer, however, so the Falcons moved to the MPSF.
Series Records vs. UMKC and HBU
Air Force is 3-0 all-time against UMKC and 2-2-1 against Houston Baptist. The Falcons last played UMKC in 2009 (W, 6-3) and tied and lost to the Huskies last season.
Falcons Picked Second in WAC Preseason Rankings
The Falcons were picked to finish second in the WAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Bakersfield was predicted to win the conference by the eight league coaches. Air Force senior Caleb Downey was selected as the preseason Defensive Player of the Year and fellow senior Brian Klazura joined Downey on the preseason all-WAC team.
Falcons Finally Find The Net Again
Junior Zachary Modly's goal against Cal Poly on Sept. 27 snapped a 656-minute scoreless streak for the Falcons. Senior Brian Klazura's goal just 2:55 into the season-opening game at St. Mary's College was the last goal scored before Modly's tally. The Falcons have have been outscored 20-2 this season, including 13-0 after halftime.
Modly Still Top 5 in WAC for Shots
Modly is tied for third in the WAC with 27 total shots this season. He is the leader on the team with 10 more than junior Matt Payne. Meanwhile, freshman Jake Schenk is fourth in the league with 31 saves and sixth in saves percentage at .721.
