Air Force secures service academy sweep with win at Army

WEST POINT, N.Y. - A relentless Falcons effort on both sides of the pitch resulted in a 2-0 win at Army, and following Sunday's 1-0 victory at Navy, the 2021 season marks the first time in the history of the women's soccer program that Air Force has defeated both service academies in the same season.

"First sweep ever," said head coach Larry Friend. "I'm proud of the team for executing the game plan. We had fantastic leadership by the upperclassmen. We managed the game well."

On the topic of upperclassmen, a pair of veteran Falcons opened the scoring for the visiting side. In only the fifth minute, Faith Lee, flanking to the left of the Air Force attack, shimmied past an Army defender before cutting back towards the 18-yard box. She then sent a cross towards the middle of the penalty area, where Tatiana Limon managed to get a touch on towards goal. Black Knight keeper Sage Strohman made an impressive initial save, but the ball was never cleared, as Limon burst towards the loose ball right in front of the touch line, notching her first score of 2021. The score became the second of Limon's career, with Lee notching her first assist of 2021.

Lee, a junior midfielder, wasn't done creating plays. In the 27th minute, she again made a defender miss while working the left side of the Falcons offense, then lobbing a nearly identical cross in front of goal. Catherine Bakken flashed open, and managed to get a touch on the ball that became a perfect pass towards Hailey Ramos. With impressive poise, the freshman Ramos forced two oncoming defenders out of position before striking a bending ball with her left foot just past the keeper's right. The goal was the first of Ramos' collegiate career. Lee was credited with her second assist of the game, with Bakken managing her second assist of the week.

With two more goals tonight, all six of Air Force's goals this season have been scored by six different players.

In spite of a couple close calls, Larry Friend's squad managed to keep Army from attaining any momentum on their home turf. Having done something no Air Force women's soccer team has done before, the head coach reveled in the milestone.

"I'm proud and happy for our cadets," said Friend. "Sweeping your sister academies is incredibly difficult. The Falcons accomplished this on the road, in their houses against two great opponents. We personified adversity and grit with a capital A and G."

After three-consecutive road matches, the Falcons (3-2-1, 0-0) head back home to Colorado Springs to start a five-match home stand, starting with South Dakota State on Monday, September 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 pm MT.

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