Air Force Falls in OT Thriller at SIUE, 3-2

EDWARDSVILLE – Air Force came up short in overtime minutes, falling to the SIUE Cougars, 3-2, in the 98^th minute. The Falcons (0-3), who opened the season on a three-match road stint, will return to the home pitch where they have a .833 win-percentage over the last four seasons. SIUE earned their first win of the 2021 campaign, they are now 1-1-1.

Senior midfielder Tristan Trager was the first to light the scoreboard in the 22^nd minute. Sophomore forward Thaddaeus Dewing flicked the ball to Trager from within the penalty box where Trager took his first attempt, but it was blocked by a defender; however, the deflection returned to sender and Trager finished to left side. The goal marked Trager's first this season.

Just over 10 minutes later, the Falcons went up two-nil as senior team captain Giuliano Daniel serviced a corner kick from the far side, sailing the ball to the near-side post where London Aghedo met it in midair, finishing with a header to the low left. The goal marked Aghedo's first of the season and Daniel's second assist from a set piece in three games.

SIUE battled back from the deficit with their first strike in the 41^st minute as Alex Segura finished bottom right off of a deflection from Air Force keeper Kainoa Likewise.

At the halftime break, the Falcons led the Cougars, 2-1, but it was SIUE who took the lion's share of shots, 7-4.

The Cougars took the field more aggressively in the second half, notching the equalizer just five minutes into the half. Max Broughton was credited with the unassisted goal.

SIUE took the majority of shots in the second half (6-3), but the teams were relatively split in offensive opportunities for the remainder of regulation. Neither team was unable to plug in a game-winner.

The Cougars went on to score their third-straight goal and game-winning strike with two minutes remaining in the first overtime period. After a flurry of offensive and defensive touches deep inside the Air Force box, Myles Sophanavong had the final say, slipping the ball in from point-blank range.

Likewise finished the night with two saves. Tyler Johnson, London Aghedo and Remi Smith clocked all 98 minutes of action on the match.

Next up, the Falcons open up Cadet Soccer Stadium for the first of a four-match home stint. California State-Fullerton will visit the Academy for a Friday evening match, followed by Evansville on Sunday. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.

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Players Mentioned

London Aghedo

Giuliano Daniel

Thaddaeus Dewing

Tyler Johnson

Kainoa Likewise

Remi Smith

Tristan Trager