Friday, September 2
USAF Academy, Colo.
9:30 p.m.
Davidson College
2
at
0
Air Force
Junior tri-captain Brian McGue
Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Men's Soccer Opens Season with 2-0 Win Over Air Force
9/3/2011 1:59:00 AM | Men's Soccer
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Junior Brian McGue scored the game-winning goal in the fifth minute and assisted on an insurance goal in the 88th to lead Davidson to a 2-0 victory over Air Force in non-conference men's soccer action Friday night in Cadet Soccer Stadium.
Freshman forward Gabe Rivera notched his first career goal in his first career game to ice the win for the Wildcats (1-0). Air Force (1-1) fired 21 shots, including 14 in the second half, but they were largely off the mark as senior goalkeeper Chip Sanders only needed to make four saves to earn his ninth career shutout.
“It was really important to get our first win of the season in the first game on the road,” said head coach Matt Spear. “The guys showed a lot of perseverance, heart and grit to grind out this victory. We talked a lot about starting strong and ending strong, and that's what we did tonight. We started with a goal and we ended with a goal.”
The game was delayed approximately 90 minutes during halftime due to lightning.
The Wildcats capitalized on their first scoring chance, as sophomore midfielder Alex Givens was able to direct the ball to McGue on a play started by senior forward Thomas Zimmerman. McGue was able to put it in the back of the net at 4:40 to give the 'Cats a lead they would not relinquish.
Play was even throughout the remainder of the first half as Air Force held a slim 7-6 advantage in shots, while Davidson had the edge in corners 2-1. Air Force then came out of the halftime delay strong, but Sanders made three big saves.
“As the game wore on, we did not connect on as many passes as we would have liked, and Air Force was able to be dangerous with their crosses and balls sent into the box,” added Spear. “We had some moments where we had to withstand some of their efforts, but we did that. Chip did a tremendous job in goal to keep them off the scoreboard with some massive saves.”
McGue then found Rivera at 87:07 to secure the victory.
“I'm real happy for Gabe Rivera getting his first career goal in his first college game,” said Spear. “That was wonderful to ice the win.”
Shots on goal finished even at four, while Air Force held an edge in shots (21-8) and corners (7-2). Air Force's Kevin Durr generated the most offensive pressure with six shots. McGue and Zimmerman led Davidson with two shots apiece.
Davidson completes their Rocky Mountain swing Sunday at Denver with kick-off slated for 2:00 p.m. Eastern.
“We have a lot of respect for the Air Force coaches, players, and academy,” said Spear. “They were wonderful hosts and it was an amazing experience to be here. We'll move on real quickly and get prepared to play a very talented University of Denver team on Sunday.”
The Wildcats will then return home and host the Davidson adidas Classic Friday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 11 with games against Detroit (7 p.m.) and Gardner-Webb (7 p.m.), respectively. Appalachian State will also face Gardner-Webb and Detroit on Saturday and Sunday, respectively at 5 p.m.
Notes: Head coach Matt Spear remains undefeated in home openers with a 9-0-2 record … Davidson also claimed the season opener in the final two years of head coach Charlie Slagle's tenure, giving the 'Cats a 13-year undefeated streak … lightning also plagued the Davidson women's soccer game at Alumni Stadium forcing an hour and 45 minute delay to the start time.
Freshman forward Gabe Rivera notched his first career goal in his first career game to ice the win for the Wildcats (1-0). Air Force (1-1) fired 21 shots, including 14 in the second half, but they were largely off the mark as senior goalkeeper Chip Sanders only needed to make four saves to earn his ninth career shutout.
“It was really important to get our first win of the season in the first game on the road,” said head coach Matt Spear. “The guys showed a lot of perseverance, heart and grit to grind out this victory. We talked a lot about starting strong and ending strong, and that's what we did tonight. We started with a goal and we ended with a goal.”
The game was delayed approximately 90 minutes during halftime due to lightning.
The Wildcats capitalized on their first scoring chance, as sophomore midfielder Alex Givens was able to direct the ball to McGue on a play started by senior forward Thomas Zimmerman. McGue was able to put it in the back of the net at 4:40 to give the 'Cats a lead they would not relinquish.
Play was even throughout the remainder of the first half as Air Force held a slim 7-6 advantage in shots, while Davidson had the edge in corners 2-1. Air Force then came out of the halftime delay strong, but Sanders made three big saves.
“As the game wore on, we did not connect on as many passes as we would have liked, and Air Force was able to be dangerous with their crosses and balls sent into the box,” added Spear. “We had some moments where we had to withstand some of their efforts, but we did that. Chip did a tremendous job in goal to keep them off the scoreboard with some massive saves.”
McGue then found Rivera at 87:07 to secure the victory.
“I'm real happy for Gabe Rivera getting his first career goal in his first college game,” said Spear. “That was wonderful to ice the win.”
Shots on goal finished even at four, while Air Force held an edge in shots (21-8) and corners (7-2). Air Force's Kevin Durr generated the most offensive pressure with six shots. McGue and Zimmerman led Davidson with two shots apiece.
Davidson completes their Rocky Mountain swing Sunday at Denver with kick-off slated for 2:00 p.m. Eastern.
“We have a lot of respect for the Air Force coaches, players, and academy,” said Spear. “They were wonderful hosts and it was an amazing experience to be here. We'll move on real quickly and get prepared to play a very talented University of Denver team on Sunday.”
The Wildcats will then return home and host the Davidson adidas Classic Friday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 11 with games against Detroit (7 p.m.) and Gardner-Webb (7 p.m.), respectively. Appalachian State will also face Gardner-Webb and Detroit on Saturday and Sunday, respectively at 5 p.m.
Notes: Head coach Matt Spear remains undefeated in home openers with a 9-0-2 record … Davidson also claimed the season opener in the final two years of head coach Charlie Slagle's tenure, giving the 'Cats a 13-year undefeated streak … lightning also plagued the Davidson women's soccer game at Alumni Stadium forcing an hour and 45 minute delay to the start time.
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