Air Force falls to SMSU, Army in soccer classic

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ST. LOUIS (AFPN) --  Air Force Academy women’s soccer (3-5-0) was unable to get a win against Southeast Missouri State University (4-2-0) and Army (2-6-0) during the Toys for Tots/Military Academies Classic here Sept. 17 to 19.

In the opening game Sept. 17, SEM picked up a 2-1 victory over Air Force, with Emily Newsham putting home both goals for the Otahkians. Sept. 19, Army dominated the second half in claiming a 3-1 victory over Air Force. The Falcons out-shot the Black Knights 20-9, but Army keeper Rebecca Garcia was up to the task with eight saves in the game.

After playing to a 1-1 tie at the half, the Otahkians went on top in the 71st minute. Lisa Schweppe served the ball from the left side to the far post where Newsham sent the ball to Air Force goalkeeper Jennifer Drew. Drew misplayed the save as Newsham rebounded and shot again to put the Otahkians ahead.

After neither team took control early, both netted goals late in the first period. Air Force struck first in the 38th minute off their fourth corner of the half. Betsy Eames sent the corner to the upper left corner of the box where the Otahkians failed to clear the ball. When keeper Amanda Wrzos failed to collect an errant header from a defender, the Falcons’ Amanda Cleland was there to clean up and give Air Force a 1-0 lead.

The Otahkians knotted the game in the 44th minute. Alaina Lacopo played a short corner to Laura Hauskins who served the ball into the box. In a goal-mouth scramble, Newsham sent it past Drew to tie the game at 1.

After Air Force dominated play in the first half Sept. 19, out-shooting Army 9-3, the Black Knights’ Ronee Farrell put up the first goal on a 40-yard bomb. Army was advancing toward the goal when Drew cleared the ball from the box. Farrell settled the clearance then drilled a shot into the upper left corner with under a minute left in the half.

Farrell made it a 2-0 game in the 56th minute. Leigh Kosco brought the ball up the left side and found Farrell making a weak siderun. A pinpoint pass led Farrell right toward the goal. Farrell’s shot got by Drew, who was advancing off her line, hit the cross bar and caromed in.

Kosco netted her own goal in the 77th minute when Emily Cook served her the ball on the left side of the box. With Drew closing in, Kosco did not have time to settle the ball and, instead, chipped it over Drew for the 3-0 cushion.

Air Force got a goal back in the game’s final minute when a pair of Army backs were indecisive on a clearance. The ball found Erin Fitzpatrick on the left side who connected with Katherine Slogic for the goal.

Falcons Raegan McDowell and Taryn Nicolaides were selected for the classic all-tournament team.

The Falcons next play Sept. 25 against rival Colorado College on the CC campus.