Falcon Men’s Soccer Defeats Army, 2-1, in West Point

WEST POINT, New York - Air Force grinded to a 2-1 victory over Army West Point in the first service academy contest of the year, Saturday evening, in West Point, New York. Sophomores JT D'Emidio and Tristan Trager notched a goal apiece to the secure the win in the season opener.

The Falcons put the pressure on early, pressing deep into the Black Knight's box on several occasions in the opening 10 minutes. Army took its first attempt on the Air Force frame in the 13^th minute met by sophomore keeper Kainoa Likewise who tallied the save.

In the 25^th minute, sophomore forward JT D'Emidio put the Falcons on the board as he bent one past four Army defenders into the far post from 18-yards out.

The Falcons continued to apply pressure on the Black Knight defense as D'Emidio gave the Army fans another scare with a rocket sent just over the cross bar in the waning seconds of the first half. D'Emidio, the Falcons' Rookie of the Year in 2018, led Air Force with two shots by the close of the first half. Both teams took four shots in the first 45 minutes.

Both squads returned to the pitch with high energy and pace, putting relatively equal attack pressure on both defenses.

Army had a good chance for an equalizer in the 57^th minute as the Black Knights drew a foul for a free kick at the 18-yard line. Keenan O'shea lined up for the shot but put too much boot behind the ball, sailing it high over the crossbar.

In the 61^st minute, Air Force sophomore Tristan Trager ran into the Black Knight's box for a one-vs-one with the Army keeper Justin Stoll. Trager got all of his leg behind the shot but the keeper made an athletic save to keep Army within striking distance. Less than a minute later, Army's Christian Takaki punched in the equalizer off a cross from 15-yards straight out.

Undeterred by the tying score, Air Force continued to run its offense as planned. In the 65^th minute, Alec Young dribbled into the box and found Trager open for another attempt, this time Trager finished with a ball to the far post past a diving Stoll, silencing a rowdy Army crowd.

Back-and-forth action ensued up to the 78^th minute where Army's Jake Burgess sent a dangerous ball to the near upper-90 sailing just wide of an equalizing goal. Air Force responded with a stingier defense, determined to keep the tying goal from finding a home in the nylon.

The Black Knights took three straight corner kicks in the 86^th minute, but the young Falcon defense rose to occasion and held off the Army onslaught until the clock struck 90.

At the final horn, Air Force took 10 shots led by Trager and D'Emidio with three apiece.

"It was a quality win against a strong opponent on the road," said head coach Doug Hill. "Our young men adapted to the demands of the game and did well to secure the win. We scored two quality goals and 11 players defended for 90 minutes, I couldn't be more proud of his young group and the steps they took in becoming a better team tonight."

Next week, the Falcons continue action on the road with a pair of matches in the Golden State. On Friday (Sept. 6), Air Force will take on Sacramento State in Sacramento in a 6 PM PT matchup before traveling to Davis, California, to take on UC Davis, Sunday, at 1 PM PT.

Falcon Men’s Soccer Defeats Army, 2-1, in West Point

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Players Mentioned

JT D'Emidio

Kainoa Likewise

Tristan Trager

Alec Young

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