Air Force Falls in Semifinals Heartbreaker, 4-3

PHOENIX – Air Force took a heart-breaking loss to Seattle U in the semifinals of the Western Athletic Conference tournament, 4-3, Friday evening at GCU Stadium. The Falcons finalize the 2021 campaign at 10-8-1 with an 8-3 mark in the league. The second-seeded Redhawks (13-7) will meet with the top-seeded Grand Canyon Lopes for the title match, Sunday afternoon.

SU's Hal Uderitz was first to strike via penalty kick in the 24^th minute. The Redhawks' Noe Meza headed in the second goal via service from Peter Kingston. Air Force hit the halftime locker room with just three first-half shots on the score sheet. Seattle U took 12 first half shots.

After a spirited halftime talk, the Falcons took the pitch determined get back in the fight. Sophomore forward Thaddaeus Dewing led the charge with a strike in the 57^th minute via touches from London Aghedo and Tyler Johnson from the end line. Moments later in the 59^th minute, the Falcons were jolted to life as Dewing and Johnson connected for the equalizer via a long service from Wills Burns.

Air Force capitalized on the momentum and rolled like thunder deeper into the half. In the 63^rd minute, Luke Hill serviced a free kick on the near side to the WAC's Offensive Player of the Year, Tristan Trager, who headed the ball to the back of the net to assume the lead with the third unanswered goal.

With Air Force seeming unbeatable, SU's Levonte Johnson refused to go quietly, taking the ball to the 18-yard line and shooting across the goal to beat Air Force keeper, Kainoa Likewise, to the low left corner for the equalizer.

As time dwindled and both squads fought for critical possessions, the Redhawks battled deep into the Air Force box to fire off some last-chance shots. A shot was taken on goal but was met by Likewise who deflected an unlucky rebound out to James Morris who finished to the left side of the goal with 17 seconds remaining in regulation, effectively sealing Air Force's fate.

At the final horn, Air Force took eight shots with four coming on goal. Dewing and Trager led the offense with three and two shots, respectively. SU took 27 shots on the match, 14 on target.

Likewise recorded four saves on the match, while Falcon defenders London Aghedo, Tyler Johnson, Jake Chaffetz and Wills Burns clocked 90 minutes of defensive action.

Match highlights can be viewed here.

The Falcons will bring the 2021 campaign to an official close at the annual awards banquet this fall.

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