Air Force Pushes Past UTRGV in Dramatic Fashion, 1-0

PHOENIX – A header in the final second of regulation play pushed Air Force past UTRGV, one-nil, in the first round of the Western Athletic Conference tournament, Wednesday evening, at GCU Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. For the second-straight year, Air Force (10-7-1) eliminated the Vaqueros (8-9) from the playoff tournament.

The Falcons dominated the first-half possessions, outshooting the Vaqueros, 9-2, with four shots on target to UTRGV's one. Air Force took five corner kick attempts, putting two shots on target from corner services. The Falcons' Lathan Spadafora led the field with three shots in the first 45.

The Vaqueros found a better rhythm in the second half, creating more opportunities to strike on the Air Force frame. UTRGV outshot Air Force, 7-5, in the second-half.

Both teams took nine corner kicks, but it was the Falcons' last two that would the seal their fate. With overtime seeming inevitable, the Falcons lined up for a corner kick on the far side at the 89:30 mark. After some volleys and a high shot attempt that the UTRGV keeper brushed with his hand, Air Force won another corner kick.

Falcon senior Michael Neacsu, knowing the clock was ticking down, sprinted to collect the ball and continued to fight through a crowd of players, racing to the corner to kick off one last set piece. The ball was airborne at the 89:53 mark where Air Force big men Tyler Johnson and Jake Chaffetz lifted off to receive. It was Chaffetz who made the successful head touch, just out of the UTRGV keepers' reach, hitting the game-winner with just a single tick left on the clock.

At the final horn, the Falcons took 14 shots to UTRGV's nine. Spadafora led the offense with four shots, two on target.

The Air Force defense in London Aghedo, Chaffetz, Johnson, and Jared Dove, clocked 90 minutes of action each. Senior goalie Kainoa Likewise made four saves on the night, securing his fourth shutout this season.

"The finish was nothing like we drew up," head coach Doug Hill smirked. "I thought we should have put it away in the first half but we just didn't. Credit to UTRGV, they came out strong in the second half and had some good runs. I'm happy for the boys, they put in a lot of work this season and they secured the shutout which was a goal of ours. They've worked so hard and they earned this."

"We're going to enjoy the win for tonight," Hill continued. "But we're going to switch gears tomorrow and get ready for our next match against Seattle U."

Up next, Air Force takes on second-seed Seattle U in the semifinals on Friday, November 12. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. MT, at GCU Stadium.

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