Air Force Battles to Positive Result at UC Riverside

RIVERSIDE – Falcon men's soccer played UC Riverside to a draw on Labor Day, 2-2, at UCR Soccer Stadium. Air Force (0-3-1) tallied a season high two goals in the effort. UCR remains in the hunt for a win, settling the day with an 0-2-1 record.

Falcon newcomers C3C Marcos Goni and C4C Tucker Kern recorded strikes with the assistance of C3C team captain Oliver Becker. Goni, a sophomore out of Croton on Hudson, New York, leads Air Force in goals in the early season.

The Falcons, boasting the eighth-ranked shot percentage in the nation (.667), fired off eight shots on the match with four attempts on target. The Highlanders took 21 shots; however, just four were on goal, testament to AF's staunch defensive effort.

Air Force, for the first time this season, was first to light the scoreboard as Goni struck in the 32^nd minute via corner kick that was cleared out by Becker. At the halftime whistle, the Falcons held a one-nil lead.

Out of the halftime break, the Highlanders' Jose Maria put UCR on the board with help from Grant Miller (65'). Moments later, Riverside defenseman Brady Elliot captured the lead with help from Ethan Walker in the 66^th minute.

The Falcons, with tenacity and grit, equalized in the 74^th minute behind the foot of Tucker Kern who scored in an unassisted attack.

Air Force carried the momentum and controlled the possessions from the 80^th minute to the final horn, taking three shots while also denying UCR any offensive attempts. Despite AF's comeback effort, the teams settled with a draw, 2-2.

Sophomore goalie Brody Smith and UCR counterpart Andrew Hermosillo made two saves apiece on the night. Despite being significantly outshot (21-8), Air Force fought and denied UCR a win on their home pitch.

The Falcons returns home for the second match of the week, hosting Cal Poly on Friday, September 5. Action at Cadet Soccer Stadium kicks off at 7pm MT.

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.