Northern Colorado soccer falls to Air Force, 2-1, in opening exhibition

The sport didn’t depend towards the file, which might be a superb factor, however the College of Northern Colorado soccer workforce acquired again on the sector Saturday afternoon.

UNC hosted Air Drive at Jackson Stadium for an exhibition match to begin the autumn 2022 season, falling to the guests, 2-1.

“4 days in, it’s only a actual good expertise for us to have a look at quite a lot of gamers, particularly our younger gamers,” UNC head coach Tim Barrera mentioned. “Total, it was a superb studying expertise for us. We’ll get loads out of it.”

The Bears didn’t have their greatest begin, giving up a purpose within the twenty first minute, however they knotted issues up within the thirty second after freshman ahead Riley Kaali-Nagy discovered the web. Sophomore ahead Lauren Fuller and sophomore midfielder Ashley Hillman have been tabbed with the help.

Popping out of the locker room after halftime, the Falcons have been aggressive and didn’t waste any time scoring the tiebreaker. Caeli Sherman, who scored the Academy’s first purpose, scored the second simply 27 seconds into the second half.

From there, it was a duel of the defenses and neither workforce was in a position to file one other purpose.

The Bears offense didn’t have a nasty day — it recorded 9 pictures with three on purpose — however Air Drive was higher. The in-state rival completed with 14 pictures and 9 on the right track, serving to it safe that second rating.

Moreover, UNC took three nook kicks to Air Drive’s 5. The Falcons have been extra aggressive, as seen by their eight fouls, whereas the house workforce had one.

UNC has 17 upperclassmen, nevertheless it’s nonetheless comparatively younger. It has 23 underclassmen, together with 12 freshmen and some sophomores who performed restricted minutes final 12 months.

Barrera mentioned the younger gamers put in quite a lot of effort and “did some good issues,” regardless of having some nerves. He additionally famous the management from his seniors and normal on-field efforts from the transfers.

“We simply wish to get higher in all phases,” Barrera mentioned. “I believed, defensively, we have been good for probably the most half however gave up two targets on defensive errors. I feel as soon as we get additional into the season, that received’t occur — hopefully not.”

The Bears will play at Colorado State subsequent week in its second exhibition. First kick is ready for 1 p.m. Friday in Fort Collins. The primary common season recreation is ready for 7 p.m. Aug. 18 towards Wyoming.