Friday, October 8
USAFA, CO
6:00 PM
Air Force Academy
5-4-1, 4-0-0
2
vs
1
UTRGV
5-4-0, 2-1-0
1
2
F
UTRGV
0
1
1
Air Force
1
1
2
Photo by: U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R
Air Force Overpowers UTRGV, 2-1
10/8/2021 8:55:00 PM | Men's Soccer
USAF ACADEMY – Air Force out-muscled a talented UTRGV team, winning 2-1, Friday evening at Cadet Soccer Stadium. The Falcons, now 5-4-1 overall with an undefeated 4-0 mark in conference play, are now just one-of-two unbeaten teams in the WAC. The Vaqueros, who were previously undefeated in the conference, drop to 5-4, 2-1 WAC.
The Air Force defense put UTRGV to task, holding the Vaqueros to just seven shots on the match while the high-powered Falcon offense put up 16 shots, with seven coming on target. Air Force's London Aghedo, a preseason All-WAC defender, was critical in denying UTRGV a near equalizer in the 84th minute. The Falcon defense was stellar in ceasing second-chance defending opportunities.
The Air Force offense was led by Tristan Trager yet again, as the senior forward notched both goals on a game-high seven shots. Aghedo took the second-most shots with four to his credit. The Falcons have significantly out shot all WAC opponents this season.
Falcon goalie Kainoa Likewise earned his fourth-straight league win, registering a save against seven shots faced. UTRGV's Oliver Padilla made five saves on the match.
The first strike of the game came in the 25th minute as Elijah Bussey received a long-ball from downfield and brilliantly one-touched it past a defender where Trager redirected it to the back of the net off a quick-touch deep in the box.
At the half, Air Force led one-nil and held the advantage in shots, 5-1.
UTRGV had a spark of life as Michael Washington scored the equalizer off a set piece shot deflection by Likewise in the 60th minute.
With a coveted league goose egg riding on the match, the intensity continued to grow until a foul against Luke Hill in the penalty box yielded Air Force a penalty kick opportunity in the 66th minute. The Falcons sent forth Trager who beat Padilla high and right after a stutter-step windup.
The Vaqueros pressed hard for the remainder of the match but the Falcon defense was far too staunch, fending off the WAC heavyweight to secure the win.
"It was a great team effort against a good team," head coach Doug Hill said. "UTRGV will likely make the playoffs and that's our goal as well. The men showed great tenacity and our group defending was superb. It was nice to get off 16 shots, I think we could have taken a few more. I'm happy that our goal scorers are scoring which is brilliant but we're going to spread the wealth a little bit more and get some more goals scorers in the books."
Next up, Air Force hosts Incarnate Word for the second match of a two-game home stint. Action is slated for 1 p.m., Sunday (Oct. 10), at Cadet Soccer Stadium.
The Air Force defense put UTRGV to task, holding the Vaqueros to just seven shots on the match while the high-powered Falcon offense put up 16 shots, with seven coming on target. Air Force's London Aghedo, a preseason All-WAC defender, was critical in denying UTRGV a near equalizer in the 84th minute. The Falcon defense was stellar in ceasing second-chance defending opportunities.
The Air Force offense was led by Tristan Trager yet again, as the senior forward notched both goals on a game-high seven shots. Aghedo took the second-most shots with four to his credit. The Falcons have significantly out shot all WAC opponents this season.
Falcon goalie Kainoa Likewise earned his fourth-straight league win, registering a save against seven shots faced. UTRGV's Oliver Padilla made five saves on the match.
The first strike of the game came in the 25th minute as Elijah Bussey received a long-ball from downfield and brilliantly one-touched it past a defender where Trager redirected it to the back of the net off a quick-touch deep in the box.
At the half, Air Force led one-nil and held the advantage in shots, 5-1.
UTRGV had a spark of life as Michael Washington scored the equalizer off a set piece shot deflection by Likewise in the 60th minute.
With a coveted league goose egg riding on the match, the intensity continued to grow until a foul against Luke Hill in the penalty box yielded Air Force a penalty kick opportunity in the 66th minute. The Falcons sent forth Trager who beat Padilla high and right after a stutter-step windup.
The Vaqueros pressed hard for the remainder of the match but the Falcon defense was far too staunch, fending off the WAC heavyweight to secure the win.
"It was a great team effort against a good team," head coach Doug Hill said. "UTRGV will likely make the playoffs and that's our goal as well. The men showed great tenacity and our group defending was superb. It was nice to get off 16 shots, I think we could have taken a few more. I'm happy that our goal scorers are scoring which is brilliant but we're going to spread the wealth a little bit more and get some more goals scorers in the books."
Next up, Air Force hosts Incarnate Word for the second match of a two-game home stint. Action is slated for 1 p.m., Sunday (Oct. 10), at Cadet Soccer Stadium.
Team Stats
RGV
AFA
Goals
1
2
Shots
7
16
Shots on Goal
3
7
Saves
5
1
Corners
6
4
Fouls
8
10
Scoring Plays
Tristan Trager (6)
Assisted By: Elijah Bussey
GOAL by AFA Trager, Tristan Assist by Bussey, Elijah.
24:30
Michael Washington (2)
GOAL by RGV Washington, Michael.
59:38
Tristan Trager (6)
AFA Tristan Trager PENALTY KICK GOAL.
65:31
Game Leaders
Shots
7
SOG
4
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Men's SoccerMidfield
/ Men's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Men's SoccerMidfielder
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