Utah Tech Rallies to Beat Air Force, 3-2

USAF ACADEMY – Air Force gave up a two-goal lead against Utah Tech, falling 3-2 in Western Athletic Conference action, Thursday evening at Cadet Soccer Stadium. The Falcons drop to 1-12-1 on the season with a 1-5 mark in the league.

Air Force got off to a hot start, scoring two goals in the opening 11 minutes of action. Senior Ben Wunsch netted his first collegiate goal (7') off a brilliant connection from Nick Bisagno via Carter Rizzo's touch. The assist mark Rizzo's second of the season.

In the 11^th minute, Bisagno was the gift that kept on giving, this time assisting Rizzo with the strike to give the Falcons a two-nil lead and the momentum. The goal marked Rizzo's second this season and Bisagno's third assist of the 2024 campaign.

Utah Tech (3-8-4, 2-3-2 WAC) refused to go quietly, scoring their first strike in the 16^th minute via Ethan Bell's connection from Austin Wallace. Four minutes later, a foul inside the penalty box yielded the Trailblazers' Sami Cuevas a PK opportunity (21'). Cuevas got freshman AF keeper Brody Smith to commit opposite direction of the shot to score the equalizer.

Utah Tech carried the momentum into the second half, scoring the eventual game winner in the 50^th minute via Jason Buezo's shot from Daichi Saito's assist.

Air Force continued the fight with the hopes of keeping a postseason run alive. The Trailblazers had a second PK opportunity in the 59^th minute. Oliver Stone took the attempt and shot a rocket just over the crossbar to keep AF's hopes alive.

The Falcons were ignited after a handball was called on Utah Tech in the box in the 67^th minute, giving senior Carter Rizzo a chance at a PK. Rizzo shot low left and Trailblazer keeper Stockton Short made the save. Air Force continued to apply the pressure but was unable to secure an equalizer before running out of time.

At the final horn, Air Force took 17 shots led by Rizzo's four attempts, all on frame. Utah Tech attempted 11 shots with six on goal. In his third start this season, Brody Smith made three saves. Short finished the match with six saves and his third win this season.

Next up, Air Force welcomes long-time men's soccer rival UNLV to the Academy for a Sunday afternoon matchup. Action at Cadet Soccer Stadium is slated for a 3 p.m. MT start. Sunday's match will serve as Senior Day for the Falcons' class of 2025. AF will celebrate the collegiate careers of Ben Wunsch, Carter Rizzo, Joey Betts, Nick Bisagno, Noah Reznik, and Andrew Durkin.

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Team Stats

Carter Rizzo

Ben Wunsch

Nick Bisagno

Andrew Durkin

Players Mentioned

Joey Betts

Nick Bisagno

Andrew Durkin

Noah Reznik

Carter Rizzo

Brody Smith

Ben Wunsch

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