Late Goal by Tucker Bone Lifts No. 15 Air Force to Victory

USAF Academy, Colo. - A late goal by 2017 first-team All-American Tucker Bone lifted the 15^th-ranked Falcons to a 2-1 lead over WAC heavyweight, Seattle U, Saturday evening at Cadet Soccer Stadium. Air Force extended to its ninth-straight win at home and fourth-straight win in WAC play as the team improves to 14-2 with a 7-1 mark in league action.

Seattle U (10-6, 4-4 WAC) came to the Academy with their sights set on making a case for post-season contention. The Redhawks and Falcons played relentlessly against each other, taking 32 combined shots on the night while registering 19 combined fouls.

The first strike of the match came in the 29^th minute as Bone drove the ball directly into Nathan Aune who approached the 18-yard to defend, freeing up some space in the box. Bone then dished the ball to the co-team captain Austin Dewing off a 70-yard sprint. Dewing, who had blown by his defender, slipped a one-touch ball past the Redhawk keeper to the back right post. The goal marked Dewing's 11^th while Bone was credited with his sixth assist.

The Falcons and Redhawks continued their gritty defensive battle for a scoreless 54 minutes. In the 84^th minute Air Force was caught playing a little too much defense inside the Redhawks' penalty box, yielding Seattle U's Sergio Rivas a penalty kick opportunity in which he capitalized for the equalizer.

Undeterred by the tying goal, Air Force continued to press the attack on Seattle U. In the 89^th minute Bone proved why his named belongs on the 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy watch list as he beat three Redhawk defenders with impressive footwork, patience and determination-- finding an opening for a cross-frame shot and the game-winning goal. Seattle U was unable to notch the equalizer in the remaining 70 seconds.

At the final whistle, Air Force recorded 12 shots with six coming on frame, led by Bone who took three shots with two on goal. Bone is the current WAC front runner in game-winning goals. The Falcons have taken at least five or more shots on goal in 14 of 15 matches played, while Air Force's stingy defense has held all opponents this season to five or less shots on goal. Junior goalkeeper Andrea Seazzu had his work cut out for him as the Redhawks entered Cadet Soccer Stadium leading the WAC in shots per game. Seazzu recorded four saves on the day while making his presence known in the Falcons' cage.

"It wasn't the prettiest game we've ever played," said head coach Doug Hill. "As ugly as it was, more importantly our guys grinded it out. Tucker Bone displayed some special movement to beat three players and put the ball in on the far post-- it was a brilliant way to end the game."

"Unfortunately we played a little too much defense and gave up a penalty kick but this team is open to learning and we're going to watch this game again in the film room and take our findings into a tough schedule next weekend and beyond. We know there's a good chance we will see these guys in the post season so we'll be eager to learn how to clean it up and play our best soccer as we move into these final matches and conference tournament."

The remainder of Air Force's schedule continues to intensify as Seattle U, UNLV, GCU and Utah Valley, along with Air Force, and help make up the top-seven teams in the league. Only the top-seven teams in the league get seeded in the WAC Championship tournament, hence the Falcons' remaining schedule could be a good glimpse at the conference tournament field.

The Falcons will hit the road for a pair of conference matches against two aforementioned teams. Air Force and UNLV will meet Friday at 7 p.m. PT, and Grand Canyon, Sunday, at 1 p.m. PT.

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