Air Force Soars Past Kansas City in Conference Opener, 4-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Kansas City	1	0	1
Air Force	1	3	4

Kansas City

Air Force

U.S. Air Force Academy - Air Force's explosive second half propelled the Falcons to a 4-1 victory over Kansas City in the Western Athletic Conference opener, Saturday afternoon, at Cadet Soccer Stadium. The win lifts Air Force to a 2-5 overall record, snapping a five-game cold streak.

Sophomore forward Tristan Trager was the difference-maker, registering two goals and an assist on the day, for a career-high performance. The Falcons out shot the Roos, 16-10, marking the second-straight match that Air Force has fired off more shots than the opponent. Trager led the squad with three shots while JT D'Emidio and Alec Young took the second most with two apiece while nine other Falcons recorded a shot apiece.

Kansas City was the first to light the scoreboard as Kevin Komodi found Dontell Gilyard open for the shot and goal in the 18^th minute. It was the last time the Roos found the back of the Falcons' cage.

In the 44^th minute, freshman Quinn Matulis notched the equalizer via touches from Jared Dove and Tyler Johnson on a set piece, knotting the teams at one heading into the locker room at the half.

In the 66^th minute, the Air Force led by Trager put the thrusters on and didn't look back as Lathan Spadafora sent a cross to Trager in full stride who finished for his first goal of the game, fourth of the season. Four minutes later, freshman Colorado Springs product, Luke Hill, tallied his first collegiate goal in style, plugging in a diving header via Trager's well-placed assist.

In the 72^nd minute, just over two minutes after Air Force's third strike, Hill returned the favor to Trager with a quick-touch assist to the sophomore out of San Clemente, California, who notched his second goal of the match with a ball high up on the top shelf, extinguishing any hope for the visiting Roos while tallying a career-high five-point performance.

Sophomore keeper Kainoa Likewise recorded 90 minutes in the cage, making three saves on 10 shots faced, notching his second career win in goal for the Falcons.

"I'm very pleased with our response in the second half," head coach Doug Hill said. "It was a great team effort and I like the way we played on both sides the ball. We had quality finishes today and couldn't be happier with the first conference game result."

The Falcons travel to Texas for a pair of conference matches over the weekend. Air Force takes on Incarnate Word, Friday (Oct. 4), at 6 PM CT, in San Antonio. On Sunday (Oct. 6), the Falcons take the pitch against UT-Rio Grande Valley, at noon CT, in Edinburg.

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