Air Force Academy

Oct. 23, 2009

Box Score in PDF Format

Kevin Rosser connected on a penalty kick with 4:42 remaining in the game to give the Air Force men's soccer team a 1-0 victory over New Mexico Friday night at Cadet Soccer Stadium. Rosser, who was awarded the PK after New Mexico was called for a hand ball in the box following an Air Force corner kick, placed the shot in the upper right corner of the net past Lobo goalie Justin Fite for the game-winner.

It was Air Force's first win over New Mexico since Oct. 24, 2003, snapping a seven-game losing streak and 11-game winless streak to the Lobos. With the victory, Air Force improved to 6-5-1 overall and 1-2 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, while New Mexico fell to 8-5 and 2-1 in league play.

New Mexico dominated the statistical categories, outshooting the Falcons, 15-7, and taking six corner kicks to Air Force's two. Rosser's goal was AFA's only shot on goal of the game, while the Lobos placed six on Air Force freshman goalie Mike Mauro, who made several outstanding saves, including one on a breakaway by UNM's Justin Davis in the 52nd minute. Mauro collected the second shutout of his career.

"Mike played a great game for us tonight," said Air Force head coach Doug Hill. "He certainly kept us in it throughout and Eric Wilson did an outstanding job for us in the backfield. It's always nice to beat a very good team, especially in front of the home fans."

New Mexico put three shots on goal on Mauro in the first half, including a shot by P.J. Wilson that forced Mauro to make a diving save. The Lobos thought they had scored the game's first goal with just under 13 minutes remaining in the second half when Wilson headed a pass from Lance Rozeboom past Mauro, but the play was ruled offsides.

Rosser had four of Air Force's seven shots, while seniors Josh Rhynard and Jared Gomez and freshman Zane Dydasco each had one. Stephen Brown had a game-high five shots for UNM, while Wilson and Rozeboom each had two.

Air Force returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 25 against UNLV beginning at 1 p.m., at Cadet Soccer Stadium.