Air Force Plays San Francisco to a Draw, 2-2

USAF ACADEMY – San Francisco rallied from behind to tie Air Force, 2-2, Saturday evening at Cadet Soccer Stadium. The Falcons, still in the hunt for a win, improved with result (0-8-1). San Francisco remains unbeaten in the last four matches and is now 5-1-3 on the season.

The Falcons Carter Rizzo was the first to strike with an extra defensive effort turned goal in the third minute. Rizzo raced San Francisco keeper Brandon Keniston to the ball within the box and toed a deflection into the net to put AF up early.

The Falcons were flying high in the 19^th minute as a penalty in the USF box brought forth Remi Smith for a PK opportunity. Smith beat the keeper to the right for his third goal this season; he is 2-2 in PK attempts.

The Dons seized the momentum with three minutes remaining in the first half as Chris Maldonado assisted Gabriel bracken Serra in his fifth goal this season to put USF in strike distance heading into the half.

Out of the half, The Dons got to work quick with an equalizer in the 55^th minute via unassisted goal from Maldonado, his first of the season.

The Dons kept the pressure up as they chased a game-winner, controlling the possession and keeping the ball in the Falcons' third. The Air Force defense led by Wills Burns and Noah Higbie in front of AF keeper Jakob Stone held off the attack until the expiration of time.

At the final horn, USF outshot Air Force, 13-6, with six shots on target to the Falcons' three. Stone notched his first positive result this season in the tie, making four saves on the night.

"I really liked the way we started," head coach Doug Hill said. "We put quality pressure on a tough quality team. They were one of the better teams that we have played this year, so to get the lead on them and sustain through the finish was testament to a great defensive effort."

"It's a step in the right direction as we move into conference play where we'll take on the top teams in the WAC in San Jose State and Seattle U. We need to control the ball a bit more through the midfield to open up more shots, but for now, we're moving in the right direction and I'm happy with the attitude and effort from the men tonight."

Next up, Air Force opens the Western Athletic Conference slate with a pair of road matches on the West Coast. The Falcons take on San Jose State on Thursday (Sept. 28), and travel to Seattle U on Sunday (Oct. 1). Matches are slated for 8 p.m. PT and 4 p.m. PT, respectively.

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Team Stats

Remi Smith

Carter Rizzo

Luke Hill

Wills Burns

Players Mentioned

Wills Burns

Noah Higbie

Carter Rizzo

Remi Smith

Jakob Stone

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