Friday, October 22
USAFA, CO
6:00 PM
Air Force Academy
7-5-1, 6-1-0
2
vs
0
Dixie State
2-11-1, 1-5-1
1
2
F
Dixie St.
0
0
0
Air Force
0
2
2
Photo by: U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R
Air Force Blanks Dixie State, 2-0
10/22/2021 8:40:00 PM | Men's Soccer
USAF ACADEMY – Air Force pushed pass Dixie State, 2-0, in a Friday evening Western Athletic Conference matchup at Cadet Soccer Stadium, USAFA. The Falcons, back in the win column, improve to 7-5-1 with a 6-1 mark in conference while the Trailblazers drop to 2-11-1, 1-5-1 WAC.
Air Force and Dixie played a close match in the first half, going scoreless while taking shots apiece in the first 45. Albeit Dixie State had more shots on target Air Force's attacks were more structured and tested the Trailblazer defense.
The Falcons returned to the pitch a more motivated team after what must have been a spirited halftime chat.
The first strike of the match came right at the 53-minute mark as sophomore forward Thaddaeus Dewing moved and grooved into the box, giving a few defenders the ole' spin cycle before finishing left toe to the right post. The goal marked Dewing's third this season.
Air Force added an insurance goal in the 70th minute as seniors Tristan Trager and Lathan Spadafora connected on silky back-and-forth action, leading to a Spadafora goal via Trager's assist. The goal marked Spadafora's fifth this season while Trager was credited with his sixth assist. The senior duo led the Falcon offense with Trager taking four shots and Spadafora taking two.
Kainoa Likewise earned his third shutout this season, making five saves in 90 minutes of action. Air Force's stout defensive line in Tyler Johnson, Wills Burns and Jared Dove, put the shackles on for 90 minutes of action apiece.
At the final horn, the Falcons outshot the Trailblazers, 12-10; however, Dixie State put one more shot on target, 5-4.
"I thought we were a little slow in the first half, but I liked the response to that slow start," head coach Doug Hill said. "We didn't press them hard enough, but the team's response after the halftime talk was tremendous. We kept in their half in the second-45 and our ball was moving fast. The key was shooting when you got in the area. Both of our goals were nice, but it was exceptional to see Trager and Spadafora connect on that second one."
"Keeping the shutout was big," Hill continued. "They had some opportunities no doubt, but in the end we got the win at home. We're going to enjoy the win tonight but tomorrow we will begin looking at a tough UNLV team coming in on Sunday."
Next up, the Falcons host UNLV as they come to USAFA in hopes of keeping their post-season alive. Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 24.
Air Force and Dixie played a close match in the first half, going scoreless while taking shots apiece in the first 45. Albeit Dixie State had more shots on target Air Force's attacks were more structured and tested the Trailblazer defense.
The Falcons returned to the pitch a more motivated team after what must have been a spirited halftime chat.
The first strike of the match came right at the 53-minute mark as sophomore forward Thaddaeus Dewing moved and grooved into the box, giving a few defenders the ole' spin cycle before finishing left toe to the right post. The goal marked Dewing's third this season.
Air Force added an insurance goal in the 70th minute as seniors Tristan Trager and Lathan Spadafora connected on silky back-and-forth action, leading to a Spadafora goal via Trager's assist. The goal marked Spadafora's fifth this season while Trager was credited with his sixth assist. The senior duo led the Falcon offense with Trager taking four shots and Spadafora taking two.
Kainoa Likewise earned his third shutout this season, making five saves in 90 minutes of action. Air Force's stout defensive line in Tyler Johnson, Wills Burns and Jared Dove, put the shackles on for 90 minutes of action apiece.
At the final horn, the Falcons outshot the Trailblazers, 12-10; however, Dixie State put one more shot on target, 5-4.
"I thought we were a little slow in the first half, but I liked the response to that slow start," head coach Doug Hill said. "We didn't press them hard enough, but the team's response after the halftime talk was tremendous. We kept in their half in the second-45 and our ball was moving fast. The key was shooting when you got in the area. Both of our goals were nice, but it was exceptional to see Trager and Spadafora connect on that second one."
"Keeping the shutout was big," Hill continued. "They had some opportunities no doubt, but in the end we got the win at home. We're going to enjoy the win tonight but tomorrow we will begin looking at a tough UNLV team coming in on Sunday."
Next up, the Falcons host UNLV as they come to USAFA in hopes of keeping their post-season alive. Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 24.
Team Stats
DSU
AFA
Goals
0
2
Shots
10
12
Shots on Goal
5
4
Saves
2
5
Corners
2
5
Fouls
7
10
Scoring Plays
Thaddaeus Dewing (3)
GOAL by AFA Dewing, Thaddaeus.
53:00
Lathan Spadafora (5)
Assisted By: Tristan Trager
GOAL by AFA Spadafora, Lathan Assist by Trager, Tristan.
69:32
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Midfield
/ Men's SoccerForward
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Men's SoccerForward
/ Men's SoccerMidfielder
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