UNLV Edges by the Falcons in Las Vegas
10/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Las Vegas, Nev. - Air Force, 10-5 overall and 4-2 in the WAC, fell short, 3-2, in what became a second period shootout with UNLV , Friday night in Las Vegas, Nev. The Falcons remain at third place in the WAC as they look to defend Cadet Soccer Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 23.
The Rebels' Timo Mehlich put the first goal on the board in the 33rd minute. The Falcon defenders were quick to collapse on the Rebel's leading scorer Danny Musovsky as he charged the box; Musovsky quickly sent the ball out to an open Mehlich where he found an opening for the goal.
Trailing by one, the Falcons continued to press the ball to the Rebels' side of the pitch. Stubborn defense on both ends kept the match at 1-0 at the end of the first period. The Falcons took six shots with two on goal in the first period.
In the 60th minute Musovski sent in a bold shot from 25 yards out, grazing the left pipe into the back of the goal to extend the Rebels' lead, 2-0.
The Falcons found some fuel in the tanks in the 78th minute when Austin Guerrero sent a free kick in from midfield which was deflected by a Rebel defender directly to Falcon midfielder Trey Pujats. Pujats cocked back and fired a laser beam from 30 yards out to the left side of the goal for the Falcons first goal of the match. The goal marked Pujats second of the season.
The Rebels quickly bounced back with a goal of their own in the 79th minute as Musovski took a turn-around shout from the middle of a crowded box to extend the Rebel lead, 3-1.
Undeterred the Falcons charged down the pitch to apply pressure on the Rebel goalkeeper. With time winding down Austin Dewing dribbled into the box and took launched a shot at the Rebel goal. Dewing's shot was on trajectory for nylon but was instead deflected into the goal by a Rebel defender for the Falcons' second score of the match. UNLV was credited with an own goal for the Falcons.
Sensing the final minutes drawing near, Air Force picked up the intensity by taking several attempts at the Rebel goalkeeper. The Falcons were unable to punch one in for the tie before the clock expired.
The Falcons took 12 shots with six coming on goal. Junior goalkeeper John Wendt logged four saves against 16 shots faced in 90 minutes.
Air Force returns to their home pitch to take on UMKC in conference action, Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2:00 p.m. A live stream and live stats will be provided for the match. Fans can access the stream and live stats by going to GoAirForceFalcons.com and clicking the links in the schedule drop down.
