Friday, August 27
Portland, OR
8:00 PM
Air Force Academy
at
Portland
Falcon Men's Soccer Kicks off 2021 Campaign with Two-game Road Stint
8/26/2021 11:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
WEEK 01
#RV Air Force at Portland, Friday, Aug. 27, 7 p.m. PT
WATCH | STATS
#RV Air Force at #16 Oregon State, Monday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m. PT
WATCH | STATS
The Falcons, who are receiving votes in national preseason polls, open the regular season with a pair of matches on the road, taking on the Portland Pilots, Friday, and the 16th-ranked Oregon State Beavers, Monday.
LEADING FROM THE FRONT
Seniors Giuliano Daniel and Jared Dove have taken on the split captaincy for the 2021 campaign.
WELCOME BACK
The Falcons welcome back eight starters from last season, including scoring leaders Michael Neacsu, Lathan Spadafora and Thaddaeus Dewing, who finished the shortened 2020-21 season with three goals each. Tristan Trager who led the WAC in scoring two seasons ago is returning for his senior season. Linchpin defenders Jared Dove and London Aghedo are back to bolster Air Force's staunch defensive line in front of veteran keeper Kainoa Likewise in his senior season.
THE NEW GUYS
Air Force has announced the addition of 11 newcomers to the 2021 roster, spanning from seaboard to seaboard. The Falcons will also be welcoming two USAFA Prep School players to the roster.
-Joey Betts, Panama City, FL (James W. Robinson/USAFA Prep), CS-23
-Nick Bisagno, Boise, ID (Mountain View/USAFA Prep), CS-33
-Jonah Brown, Spokane, WA (Gonzaga Preparatory School), CS-01
-Andrew Durkin, Richmond, VA (Capstone Academy), CS-19
-Hunter Hanes, San Juan Capistrano, CA (San Juan Hills HS), CS-03
-Noah Reznik, Des Moines, IA (Shattuck-St. Mary's), CS-14
-Carter Rizzo, Phoenix, AZ (Pinnacle HS), CS-24
-Kobey Stoup, Montgomery, AL (Capstone Academy), CS-14
-Reagan Wortmann, Coto De Caza, CA (Tesoro), CS-30
-Ben Wunsch, St. Louis, MO (Rockwood Summit), CS-01
TOP DRAWER SOCCER PREVIEW: WAC
What happened in 2020-21: In his final season as a head coach, Schellas Hyndman's Grand Canyon side made it a memorable one. With an 8-0 record, Grand Canyon won the regular season, and even though Air Force won the WAC tournament, GCU still made it to the NCAA tournament.
What to expect in 2021: Leonard Griffin took over at GCU, and he wasn't the only new coach. Kyle Beckerman was tabbed to take over at Utah Valley, and the progress there is going to be worth it. Seattle gets standout junior Declan McGlynn back after he took off the 2020-21 to test out the pro waters. UTRGV and San Jose State, which finished second and third respectively, could make things interesting. And Air Force one of the most consistent programs over the past few years, should be in the running with key returners back and a very intriguing group of newcomers.
BY THE NUMBERS
In a pandemic-delayed season, Seattle U led the WAC in shots (161) and Air Force led the league in points (69), goals (22) and saves (59). San José State was the leader in goals per game (2.00), assists (27) and assists per game (3.00). UT Rio Grande Valley had the lead in goals allowed (9) and goals against average (0.86) and UNLV had the lead in shutouts (5).
Individually, CBU's Luis Mueller held the lead in shots (36) while SU's Noe Meza is the leader in shots per game (3.33). SJSU's Rudi Castro held the lead in points (19), points per game (2.11), assists (9) and assists per game (1.00). UTRGV's William Akio was the leader in goals (7) and goals per game (1.00). In goal, UNLV's Miguel Duenas Jr. led the WAC in goals against average (0.73), save percentage (.825) and shutouts (5). AF's Kainoa Likewise was the leader in saves (56) and SU's Akili Kasim had the best saves per game average (5.10).
LAST SEASON IN A NUTSHELL
Air Force men's soccer concluded the belated 2020 season with a 6-5-2 overall record and a 4-4-1 finish in the Western Athletic Conference, finishing seventh in the league. Due to WAC post-season eligibility requirements, California Baptist who joined the WAC in 2018, was unable to participate in post-season play due to a probationary period for league newcomers. CBU finished fourth in the WAC. With the fifth and sixth spots moving up a rung Air Force took the last spot and became the first sixth-seed to win the WAC Men's Soccer Tournament, knocking off the top three seeds en route to the title with a shootout win over third-seed San José State, a 2-0 win over second-seed UT Rio Grande Valley and a 3-0 win over top-seed Grand Canyon. The Falcons made the program's 12th appearance in the national tournament, third in the last four seasons, where they fell to six-seed Seton Hall, 2-1, in the second round.
London Aghedo was tabbed as the team's MVP. Aghedo, a linchpin defender, started in all 13 matches on the season. He recorded 1129 minutes on the pitch, the most by any player on the squad with the exception of the goalkeeper. Aghedo concluded the season with two goals and an assist for the most by any Falcon defender. Aghedo was announced the All-WAC First-Team and the WAC All-Tournament team.
2021 WAC CHAMPS
Air Force Falcons became the first sixth-seed to win the WAC Men's Soccer Tournament, knocking off the top three seeds en route to the title with a shootout win over third-seed San José State, a 2-0 win over second-seed UT Rio Grande Valley and a 3-0 win over top-seed Grand Canyon. Quinn Matulis was named Tournament MVP after scoring a goal and assisting on three others. He was joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates London Aghedo, Jake Angeletti and Kainoa Likewise.
A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK IN 2020
The Falcons turned a seemingly bleak season to a Cinderella run to be remembered after a 1-4-1 overall record in March took a 180-degree turn to become a winning season in the record books. The Falcons capped the regular-season on a three-game winning streak at 4-4-1, finishing seventh in the WAC.
With only the top-six teams being eligible for the tournament, Air Force's run appeared to come a day late and a dollar short; however, due to WAC post-season eligibility requirements, California Baptist who joined the WAC in 2018, was unable to participate in post-season play due to a probationary period for league newcomers. CBU finished fourth in the WAC. With the fifth and sixth spots moving up a rung, the Falcons filled the sixth spot and became the first-ever six-seed to win a WAC Tournament.
DEFENSE WINS MATCHES
Kainoa Likewise and the Falcon defensive line have four shutouts to their credit this season, highlighted by shutouts against the top-two seeds in the WAC Tournament, blanking (2) UTRGV, 2-0, and (1) GCU, 3-0. Likewise finished with the top save-percentage of all keepers in the WAC (.833) in 2020-21. The staunch Falcon defense has held opponents to just 1.045 goals per game last season.
WIN, WIN, WIN
Since taking the helm of the program in 2007, Doug Hill has taken the Falcons to new heights. He led the Falcons to its first-ever WAC Tournament title this season and led the Falcons to two-straight regular-season WAC titles in 2017 and 2018. Hill's first taste of a title as a head coach was the 2012 MPSF Tournament where his Falcons downed New Mexico in penalty kicks. Air Force has been invited to the national tournament on four occasions under Hill, highlighted by a Sweet 16 run in the 2018 campaign. Hill has 123 career wins under his belt.
DEFEND THE TURF
The Falcons vehemently defend their home turf, going 33-7-1 (.833) while playing at home in the last four seasons. In 2018, the Falcons were perfect at home (10-0) for the first time in program history. In 2017, Air Force won a program-best 11 home matches, going 11-1 on the home pitch for the campaign.
#RV Air Force at Portland, Friday, Aug. 27, 7 p.m. PT
WATCH | STATS
#RV Air Force at #16 Oregon State, Monday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m. PT
WATCH | STATS
The Falcons, who are receiving votes in national preseason polls, open the regular season with a pair of matches on the road, taking on the Portland Pilots, Friday, and the 16th-ranked Oregon State Beavers, Monday.
LEADING FROM THE FRONT
Seniors Giuliano Daniel and Jared Dove have taken on the split captaincy for the 2021 campaign.
WELCOME BACK
The Falcons welcome back eight starters from last season, including scoring leaders Michael Neacsu, Lathan Spadafora and Thaddaeus Dewing, who finished the shortened 2020-21 season with three goals each. Tristan Trager who led the WAC in scoring two seasons ago is returning for his senior season. Linchpin defenders Jared Dove and London Aghedo are back to bolster Air Force's staunch defensive line in front of veteran keeper Kainoa Likewise in his senior season.
THE NEW GUYS
Air Force has announced the addition of 11 newcomers to the 2021 roster, spanning from seaboard to seaboard. The Falcons will also be welcoming two USAFA Prep School players to the roster.
-Joey Betts, Panama City, FL (James W. Robinson/USAFA Prep), CS-23
-Nick Bisagno, Boise, ID (Mountain View/USAFA Prep), CS-33
-Jonah Brown, Spokane, WA (Gonzaga Preparatory School), CS-01
-Andrew Durkin, Richmond, VA (Capstone Academy), CS-19
-Hunter Hanes, San Juan Capistrano, CA (San Juan Hills HS), CS-03
-Noah Reznik, Des Moines, IA (Shattuck-St. Mary's), CS-14
-Carter Rizzo, Phoenix, AZ (Pinnacle HS), CS-24
-Kobey Stoup, Montgomery, AL (Capstone Academy), CS-14
-Reagan Wortmann, Coto De Caza, CA (Tesoro), CS-30
-Ben Wunsch, St. Louis, MO (Rockwood Summit), CS-01
TOP DRAWER SOCCER PREVIEW: WAC
What happened in 2020-21: In his final season as a head coach, Schellas Hyndman's Grand Canyon side made it a memorable one. With an 8-0 record, Grand Canyon won the regular season, and even though Air Force won the WAC tournament, GCU still made it to the NCAA tournament.
What to expect in 2021: Leonard Griffin took over at GCU, and he wasn't the only new coach. Kyle Beckerman was tabbed to take over at Utah Valley, and the progress there is going to be worth it. Seattle gets standout junior Declan McGlynn back after he took off the 2020-21 to test out the pro waters. UTRGV and San Jose State, which finished second and third respectively, could make things interesting. And Air Force one of the most consistent programs over the past few years, should be in the running with key returners back and a very intriguing group of newcomers.
BY THE NUMBERS
In a pandemic-delayed season, Seattle U led the WAC in shots (161) and Air Force led the league in points (69), goals (22) and saves (59). San José State was the leader in goals per game (2.00), assists (27) and assists per game (3.00). UT Rio Grande Valley had the lead in goals allowed (9) and goals against average (0.86) and UNLV had the lead in shutouts (5).
Individually, CBU's Luis Mueller held the lead in shots (36) while SU's Noe Meza is the leader in shots per game (3.33). SJSU's Rudi Castro held the lead in points (19), points per game (2.11), assists (9) and assists per game (1.00). UTRGV's William Akio was the leader in goals (7) and goals per game (1.00). In goal, UNLV's Miguel Duenas Jr. led the WAC in goals against average (0.73), save percentage (.825) and shutouts (5). AF's Kainoa Likewise was the leader in saves (56) and SU's Akili Kasim had the best saves per game average (5.10).
LAST SEASON IN A NUTSHELL
Air Force men's soccer concluded the belated 2020 season with a 6-5-2 overall record and a 4-4-1 finish in the Western Athletic Conference, finishing seventh in the league. Due to WAC post-season eligibility requirements, California Baptist who joined the WAC in 2018, was unable to participate in post-season play due to a probationary period for league newcomers. CBU finished fourth in the WAC. With the fifth and sixth spots moving up a rung Air Force took the last spot and became the first sixth-seed to win the WAC Men's Soccer Tournament, knocking off the top three seeds en route to the title with a shootout win over third-seed San José State, a 2-0 win over second-seed UT Rio Grande Valley and a 3-0 win over top-seed Grand Canyon. The Falcons made the program's 12th appearance in the national tournament, third in the last four seasons, where they fell to six-seed Seton Hall, 2-1, in the second round.
London Aghedo was tabbed as the team's MVP. Aghedo, a linchpin defender, started in all 13 matches on the season. He recorded 1129 minutes on the pitch, the most by any player on the squad with the exception of the goalkeeper. Aghedo concluded the season with two goals and an assist for the most by any Falcon defender. Aghedo was announced the All-WAC First-Team and the WAC All-Tournament team.
2021 WAC CHAMPS
Air Force Falcons became the first sixth-seed to win the WAC Men's Soccer Tournament, knocking off the top three seeds en route to the title with a shootout win over third-seed San José State, a 2-0 win over second-seed UT Rio Grande Valley and a 3-0 win over top-seed Grand Canyon. Quinn Matulis was named Tournament MVP after scoring a goal and assisting on three others. He was joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates London Aghedo, Jake Angeletti and Kainoa Likewise.
A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK IN 2020
The Falcons turned a seemingly bleak season to a Cinderella run to be remembered after a 1-4-1 overall record in March took a 180-degree turn to become a winning season in the record books. The Falcons capped the regular-season on a three-game winning streak at 4-4-1, finishing seventh in the WAC.
With only the top-six teams being eligible for the tournament, Air Force's run appeared to come a day late and a dollar short; however, due to WAC post-season eligibility requirements, California Baptist who joined the WAC in 2018, was unable to participate in post-season play due to a probationary period for league newcomers. CBU finished fourth in the WAC. With the fifth and sixth spots moving up a rung, the Falcons filled the sixth spot and became the first-ever six-seed to win a WAC Tournament.
DEFENSE WINS MATCHES
Kainoa Likewise and the Falcon defensive line have four shutouts to their credit this season, highlighted by shutouts against the top-two seeds in the WAC Tournament, blanking (2) UTRGV, 2-0, and (1) GCU, 3-0. Likewise finished with the top save-percentage of all keepers in the WAC (.833) in 2020-21. The staunch Falcon defense has held opponents to just 1.045 goals per game last season.
WIN, WIN, WIN
Since taking the helm of the program in 2007, Doug Hill has taken the Falcons to new heights. He led the Falcons to its first-ever WAC Tournament title this season and led the Falcons to two-straight regular-season WAC titles in 2017 and 2018. Hill's first taste of a title as a head coach was the 2012 MPSF Tournament where his Falcons downed New Mexico in penalty kicks. Air Force has been invited to the national tournament on four occasions under Hill, highlighted by a Sweet 16 run in the 2018 campaign. Hill has 123 career wins under his belt.
DEFEND THE TURF
The Falcons vehemently defend their home turf, going 33-7-1 (.833) while playing at home in the last four seasons. In 2018, the Falcons were perfect at home (10-0) for the first time in program history. In 2017, Air Force won a program-best 11 home matches, going 11-1 on the home pitch for the campaign.
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
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Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
/ Men's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
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