Air Force Academy
UC Davis
Falcons Blank the Aggies, 3-0
9/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. - Senior forward John Sims registered two goals to lead the Falcons to a 3-0 shutout of the UC Davis Aggies (3-5-0), Sunday afternoon, at Cadet Soccer Stadium. The Falcons improve to 6-1 as they prepare for their first road game of the season, next week.
Klint Parker tallied the first strike for Air Force in the 29th minute, charging into the box to redirect a deflection back into the Aggies' goal. Parker leads the team with three goals this season. Ten minutes later, Sims registered his first goal of the season via Austin Dewing's assist. The assist marks Dewing's first recorded point of the season.
At the half, Air Force held the advantage in shots, 9-6. The Falcons are now 6-0 when scoring first and leading at the half.
Air Force continued to push the pace into the second half, holding the Aggie offense at bay with staunch defense, limiting shot opportunities for UC Davis' leading shooters, Noah Wilson and Matt Baringer.
In the final minute of the match, senior midfielder Isaac Strever found an opportunity for an assist as he Sims was left open in the box. Strever delivered an accurate cross-field ball where Sims connected with a brilliant header for his second goal of the season. Sims now leads the Falcons with 11 career goals.
At the final whistle, Air Force held the advantage in shots, 12-10, and shots on goal, 8-3. Tucker Bone, Dewing and Sims led the team with two shots apiece. Air Force has outshot every opponent this season. Sophomore goalkeeper Andrea Seazzu registered his second shutout in as many tries, making three saves on the day. Seazzu maintains a perfect career save percentage, allowing no goals in 180 career-minutes in the Falcons' cage.
"I was really happy with the way we played, said head coach Doug Hill. "We came out sharp and moved the ball really well. We accomplished our objective of keeping the ball hot and creating opportunities for shots on goal."
Air Force delivered UC Davis' second shutout of the season, only preceded by Denver's 3-0 shutout on Friday. The Falcons now have five shutouts in six wins this year.
"I'm very happy with the defensive effort in securing the shutout; that's going to be a good trademark of this team," exclaimed Hill. "Putting away three goals today was a great accomplishment against a tough team. It shows we can adjust to any type of play."
Air Force will travel to Spokane, Wash., to take on Gonzaga in their first road game of the season next week. The match with the Bulldogs is slated for a 7:00 p.m. PT start, Fri., Sept. 22, at Luger Field.
