Sunday, August 24
Evanston, IL
12:00 PM MT
Air Force Academy
at
Northwestern
Air Force Takes the Fight to Northwestern This Sunday
8/23/2025 10:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
MATCH 02
AIR FORCE (0-1) at NORTHWESTERN (1-0)
1pm CT, Sunday, August 24
Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium
LET'S GET IT STARTED
Air Force continues the opening weekend on the road at Northwestern, this Sunday. Northwestern looks to defend the pitch again, coming off a 2-0 home win against Eastern Illinois on Thursday.
A LOOK AT NORTHWESTERN
Under the direction of fifth-year head coach Russell Payne, Northwestern returns a strong nucleus from last season's squad, a group that is spearheaded by two-time All-Big Ten Conference honoree Nigel Prince. Prince, Jason Gajadhar, and Fritz Volmar were all recognized on the Big Ten Players to Watch List, which was released by the league office on Tuesday.
THE SERIES WITH THE 'CATS
Sunday's weekend finale marks not only Northwestern's first meeting with Air Force but will also be the first time that the Wildcats have battled a United States service academy. Northwestern's only matchup against a current WAC foe came in a 2-1 overtime defeat at the hands of UNLV on September 11, 2005.
LAST TIME OUT
Air Force gave up a pair of second half goals to fall in the season opener against UIC, 3-1, Thursday evening at Flames Field. The Falcons, despite the lack of experience, kept the fight alive wire-to-wire.
Air Force, brandishing a myriad of new faces, controlled the early possessions showing promise in their ability to attack. As UIC settled in, Daniel Zepeda assisted Sota Nakazono in the first strike in the 19th minute.
Just under 10 minutes later, in the 28th minute, Attila Toth collected the ball and serviced walk-on sophomore Marcos Goni in full stride toward the UIC frame. Goni beat the double-team defenders and chipped the ball in over Kevin Dabrowski's reach, the ball narrowly dropping below the crossbar for the first strike of the season.
The teams entered the locker room at halftime knotted up one-one. The Flames attempted 11 first-half shots with just two coming on target. Contrarily, Air Force took three first-half shots with two on frame.
Out of the break, UIC seemed more comfortable and settled in, firing off 14 second-half shots while denying the Falcons a shot in the second 45 minutes. The Flames' second strike came in the 48th minute off a deflected shot that left sophomore keeper Brody Smith in a tough position to defend. Carlos Nevarez was credited with the goal via quick touch from Darrell Turcios.
Air Force's offense showed promise as Toth serviced Goni for two quality chances in the 60th and 76th minute, keeping UIC on alert. The AF defense was up to the task, fending off five quality chances inside the final 20 minutes. Brayden Benner had a highlight save at 72' when the ball slipped past Smith. Benner made a sliding save to keep the Falcons in the fight. Smith fended off two of UIC's waning quality chances on his own, denying goals from a fiery Flames' offense.
An unfortunate break in the AF third led to a fast break opportunity for UIC where Rui Reis finished for the third goal with just 20 seconds remaining in the game, effectively sealing the deal. Reis finished the match with a game-high six shots, four on goal.
At the final horn, Smith was credited for eight saves while his counterpart, Dabrowski, saved one. Despite the two-goal difference, the score did not reflect the shooting disparity (25-3), credit to the tenacity of the Air Force defense under fire.
NEXT UP
Air Force opens Cadet Soccer Stadium for the first time in 2025 as the Falcons host SIU-Edwardsville on Thursday, August 28. Action is slated for 5 pm MT.
AIR FORCE (0-1) at NORTHWESTERN (1-0)
1pm CT, Sunday, August 24
Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium
LET'S GET IT STARTED
Air Force continues the opening weekend on the road at Northwestern, this Sunday. Northwestern looks to defend the pitch again, coming off a 2-0 home win against Eastern Illinois on Thursday.
A LOOK AT NORTHWESTERN
Under the direction of fifth-year head coach Russell Payne, Northwestern returns a strong nucleus from last season's squad, a group that is spearheaded by two-time All-Big Ten Conference honoree Nigel Prince. Prince, Jason Gajadhar, and Fritz Volmar were all recognized on the Big Ten Players to Watch List, which was released by the league office on Tuesday.
THE SERIES WITH THE 'CATS
Sunday's weekend finale marks not only Northwestern's first meeting with Air Force but will also be the first time that the Wildcats have battled a United States service academy. Northwestern's only matchup against a current WAC foe came in a 2-1 overtime defeat at the hands of UNLV on September 11, 2005.
LAST TIME OUT
Air Force gave up a pair of second half goals to fall in the season opener against UIC, 3-1, Thursday evening at Flames Field. The Falcons, despite the lack of experience, kept the fight alive wire-to-wire.
Air Force, brandishing a myriad of new faces, controlled the early possessions showing promise in their ability to attack. As UIC settled in, Daniel Zepeda assisted Sota Nakazono in the first strike in the 19th minute.
Just under 10 minutes later, in the 28th minute, Attila Toth collected the ball and serviced walk-on sophomore Marcos Goni in full stride toward the UIC frame. Goni beat the double-team defenders and chipped the ball in over Kevin Dabrowski's reach, the ball narrowly dropping below the crossbar for the first strike of the season.
The teams entered the locker room at halftime knotted up one-one. The Flames attempted 11 first-half shots with just two coming on target. Contrarily, Air Force took three first-half shots with two on frame.
Out of the break, UIC seemed more comfortable and settled in, firing off 14 second-half shots while denying the Falcons a shot in the second 45 minutes. The Flames' second strike came in the 48th minute off a deflected shot that left sophomore keeper Brody Smith in a tough position to defend. Carlos Nevarez was credited with the goal via quick touch from Darrell Turcios.
Air Force's offense showed promise as Toth serviced Goni for two quality chances in the 60th and 76th minute, keeping UIC on alert. The AF defense was up to the task, fending off five quality chances inside the final 20 minutes. Brayden Benner had a highlight save at 72' when the ball slipped past Smith. Benner made a sliding save to keep the Falcons in the fight. Smith fended off two of UIC's waning quality chances on his own, denying goals from a fiery Flames' offense.
An unfortunate break in the AF third led to a fast break opportunity for UIC where Rui Reis finished for the third goal with just 20 seconds remaining in the game, effectively sealing the deal. Reis finished the match with a game-high six shots, four on goal.
At the final horn, Smith was credited for eight saves while his counterpart, Dabrowski, saved one. Despite the two-goal difference, the score did not reflect the shooting disparity (25-3), credit to the tenacity of the Air Force defense under fire.
NEXT UP
Air Force opens Cadet Soccer Stadium for the first time in 2025 as the Falcons host SIU-Edwardsville on Thursday, August 28. Action is slated for 5 pm MT.
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
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