Sunday, October 18
USAFA, CO
1:00 PM MT
Air Force Academy
3-6-4, 2-3-1
2
vs
1
UC Davis
1-9-4, 1-4-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Davis | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Air Force | 1 | 1 | 2 |
10/18/2026 4:53:00 PM | Men's Soccer
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – A strike in the 89th minute lifted the Falcons to a Mountain West Conference win over UC Davis, 2-1, Sunday afternoon at Cadet Soccer Stadium. The Falcons (3-6-4, 2-3-1), coming into the match tied with UCD for fourth in the conference, sweep the Aggies in the inaugural conference series with the win.
Air Force got on the board early as freshman forward Xidane Espinoza struck in the 12th minute. A set piece led Espinoza to a shot that was blocked toward teammate Paxton Seghi who toed the ball back to Espinoza who finished with the left foot to the right side of the goal. The goal is the second for Espinoza this season.
The Falcons kept the pressure on, taking 13 shots in the first half while holding UCD to just four attempts in the first 45 minutes.
Deep in the second half, a lucky deflection led to an Aggie equalizer as Nico Collins collected a deflection off freshman keeper Hunter Anderson, returning the ball to the top of the net in the 81st minute.
Defiant and unwilling to settle for a draw, the Falcons pushed the pace on both sides of the ball. Junior team captain Andrei Bulankou was instrumental in setting up the equalizer as he picked the ball off at the midfield, getting it to Brayden Benner who pushed it up field to Quinn Muderlak. Muderlak, outrunning the defense, attacked the goal from the baseline, ultimately finding Benner in stride for the finish in the 89th minute.
At the final horn, Air Force attempted a season high 21 shots. Espinoza took a career high seven attempts with three shots coming on target. Sophomore Sean Odle and freshman Hector Orozco made three shot attempts each.
Freshman goalie Hunter Anderson was exception in goal, fending off fierce attacks from the Aggies. He finished with seven saves and his seventh positive results of the season.
Prior to the match, the Falcons celebrated six seniors: managers John Halcli and Owen Harrell alongside players Aidan Grubbs, Sean Flynn, Noah Higbie, and Logan Zaa. Four seniors are headed to pilot training while the other two will serve as officers in the Space Force.
Next up, the Falcons welcome in San Jose State for a Saturday evening matchup at Cadet Soccer Stadium. The Falcons are aiming to make good on a 3-1 loss to the Spartans earlier this season. Action is scheduled for 7pm MT.
Air Force got on the board early as freshman forward Xidane Espinoza struck in the 12th minute. A set piece led Espinoza to a shot that was blocked toward teammate Paxton Seghi who toed the ball back to Espinoza who finished with the left foot to the right side of the goal. The goal is the second for Espinoza this season.
The Falcons kept the pressure on, taking 13 shots in the first half while holding UCD to just four attempts in the first 45 minutes.
Deep in the second half, a lucky deflection led to an Aggie equalizer as Nico Collins collected a deflection off freshman keeper Hunter Anderson, returning the ball to the top of the net in the 81st minute.
Defiant and unwilling to settle for a draw, the Falcons pushed the pace on both sides of the ball. Junior team captain Andrei Bulankou was instrumental in setting up the equalizer as he picked the ball off at the midfield, getting it to Brayden Benner who pushed it up field to Quinn Muderlak. Muderlak, outrunning the defense, attacked the goal from the baseline, ultimately finding Benner in stride for the finish in the 89th minute.
At the final horn, Air Force attempted a season high 21 shots. Espinoza took a career high seven attempts with three shots coming on target. Sophomore Sean Odle and freshman Hector Orozco made three shot attempts each.
Freshman goalie Hunter Anderson was exception in goal, fending off fierce attacks from the Aggies. He finished with seven saves and his seventh positive results of the season.
Prior to the match, the Falcons celebrated six seniors: managers John Halcli and Owen Harrell alongside players Aidan Grubbs, Sean Flynn, Noah Higbie, and Logan Zaa. Four seniors are headed to pilot training while the other two will serve as officers in the Space Force.
Next up, the Falcons welcome in San Jose State for a Saturday evening matchup at Cadet Soccer Stadium. The Falcons are aiming to make good on a 3-1 loss to the Spartans earlier this season. Action is scheduled for 7pm MT.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's SoccerTeam Stats
UCD
AFA
Goals
1
2
Shots
14
21
Shots on Goal
8
6
Saves
4
7
Corners
7
6
Fouls
12
11
Scoring Plays
Xidane Espinoza (2)
Assisted By: Paxton Seghi
GOAL by AFA Espinoza, Xidane Assist by Seghi, Paxton.
11:59
Nico Collins (2)
GOAL by UCD Collins, Nico.
80:04
Brayden Benner (1)
Assisted By: Quinn Muderlak
GOAL by AFA Benner, Brayden Assist by Muderlak, Quinn.
88:47
Game Leaders
Shots
7
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Saturday, October 24
Sunday, October 18
Sunday, October 18
Sunday, October 04
