COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Air Force Academy edged the Drake University men's soccer team, 2-0, on Friday night in the team's first of two games in Colorado this weekend.
Air Force (3-0), who received votes in the latest NSCAA Top 25, scored in the first half and added an insurance goal in the final period. Drake (0-2) took four shots with two on goal as it looks to score its first goal of 2017. Freshman
Juan Louis (Minneapolis, Minn.) and graduate transfer
Jake Taylor (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) each had one shot on goal in the road defeat.
"A tough one to take as this was one of our best collective performances of the season thus far," said Drake head coach
Gareth Smith. "Our work rate was excellent for long periods of the game and our commitment to compete was evident throughout the game. We went toe-to-toe with Air Force who is a dedicated and disciplined team."
Louis' first shot was nearly on the mark as it struck the post in the 26
th minute of the game. However, Air Force quickly answered in the 27
th minute (27:51) as James Sims scored the Falcons' first goal. Drake managed one more shot in the first half as sophomore
Antonio Sanchez (Coralville, Iowa) had his attempt sail high over the goal.
In the second half, Louis took another shot but it was saved by Air Force goalkeeper Andrea Seazzu in the 72
nd minute. Later in the 79
th minute, Taylor had his own attempt saved by Seazzu. The Falcons' Luis Martinez added the insurance goal in the 84
th minute (84:12).
"Our challenge is to be a little more dynamic and creative in the final third and to capitalize on the limited chances you get against teams at the next level," Smith said. "Our guys are learning some valuable lessons that can you can only learn when you play the top teams in the country. We grow and get ready for Denver on Sunday."
The Bulldogs will play at 2016 College Cup participant, No. 4 Denver, on Sunday.
