Falcons Open MW Play With 1-1 Draw vs Fresno State

USAFA, Colo. – The Air Force Academy women's soccer team opened Mountain West Conference play with its fourth consecutive draw, 1-1, against Fresno State University Friday evening, Sept. 21, at Cadet Soccer Stadium. It is the first time in program history that the Falcons (1-2-4) have tied four matches in a row, and the Falcons are now unbeaten in their last five games.

Offense was hard to come by on both ends, as Air Force out-shot Fresno State (1-6-2) by a 15-9 margin, but both combined for just six on net. Senior goalie Jennifer Hiddink made just two saves on the night, but they were crucial in the end result.

The Falcon goal was scored on a penalty kick by senior Bre Robertson, her first of the season and seventh of her career. The penalty kick was set up after junior midfielder Erin Speer was tackled by a Bulldog defender in the box.

Air Force had a couple looks in the first ten minutes, igniting the large crowd, but it was not to be as it remained scoreless. Over the next ten minutes, they got a pair more looks on net, but once again were stonewalled.

Fresno State countered in the 33rd minute on a breakaway, as a cross in the box found a two-on-one, and capitalized to take a 1-0 lead. From there, Air Force had a third flurry of opportunity, including a shot that sailed just high, but could not get the equalizer, making it 1-0 Bulldogs at the half.

The second half was much like the first, very defensive oriented. Air Force had a clean look blocked in the 57th minute, but not much else leading into the final 15 minutes. In the 76th minute, Speer got around a Fresno defender, leading her to be taken down in the box, and drawing the PK. The veteran Robertson was calm, cool, and collected, as she blasted the ball off the hands of the keeper and into the net to tie it at one.

From there, the play was intensified as both sides wanted to win in regulation. Air Force got a couple looks on net, but one was blocked and the other sailed high. Despite some intense moments, the game went into overtime. In the first extra period, Air Force got one shot, but it went wide. Meanwhile, the Falcon defense held FS without an opportunity and the game went to OT number two.

In the final ten minutes, both squads were hungry for a win to open conference play, as both teams had big collisions that left players injured. Despite the high energy play, as well a couple shots on both ends, the game ended in the 1-1 stalemate.

Air Force turns right back around and hits the road for a Sunday match against San Jose State in California, Sunday, Sept. 23. Kickoff against the Spartans is set for 12 p.m. PT.

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