Late goal secures men’s soccer win over Air Force

 

Kenzie Jones, Sports Editor, @KenzieScribbler

Utah Valley University improves to 6-5-1 overall and 2-2-1 in the WAC after defeating Air Force on Friday night. The Falcons drop to 6-4-4 overall and 2-3-1 in league play. The match was decided in the 87th-minute when UVU managed to find a goal to create a final score of 2-1.

The win marks the Wolverines first true road win of their inaugural season. The team did head into the match with an away win, over UC Riverside on a neutral field in Las Vegas, but had failed to secure a win in three road games prior to Friday night.

The first goal of the game happened in the 74th minute, when Matt Gay blasted a free kick from 25 yards out into eh left corner of the net. This marked Gay’s team-high sixth goal of the season and finally got some excitement going in the game.

Air Force retaliated rather quickly as they tied the match up 1-1 off a ball sent from 25 yards off into the right corner. The 85th minute goal was made by Scott McGillivray with the assistance from Zachary Modly.

It was looking like the game would roll into overtime but less then 2 minutes after the tying goal UVU’s Karson Payton rocketed one in for the Wolverine win. Payton’s 15 yard curl into the right corner was made possible with the help of team mate Lucas Cawley.

UVU finished with 20 shots, 11 of which came on goal, while Air Force finished with 12 shots and five on goal. Jake Schenk recorded eight saves in the goal for the Falcons vs. Collin Partee’s four for the Wolverines.

The gentlemen Wolverines have one more match on the road Sunday afternoon before heading home. They will be facing off against UMKC at noon MT.