(Bert Borgmann/CHSAANow.com)
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY — The second game of Air Academy’s 20th Annual Kadet Kickoff Classic came down virtually the last second before the home team prevailed 3-2 over Greeley Central Friday afternoon.
In a game that remained close throughout, the teams matched goals midway through the first half when Air Academy’s Blake Doran scored an unassisted goal at 23:53. The Kadets kept the lead at 1-0 for nearly 10 minutes. At 34:33, Central’s Juan Ceja evened the game at 1-1 sliding a shot past the AA keeper.
At the 59:23 mark, Air Academy’s Gabriel Stuger scored to give the Kadets a 2-1 lead. It was a lead that held for nearly the rest of the game as the teams traded shots for the next 20 minutes. Tough defense and stronger goalie play kept either team at bay.
The Wildcats’ Angel Moncada, though, felt the pressure of a dwindling clock and fired off a shot from about 30 yards out, catching the AAHS defense by surprise. When the ball settled in the back of the net at 76:24, GCHS had a tie at 2-2.
It looked as if time would expire with the game still at 2-2, but the Kadet’s Brittain Romes had other ides and netted a hard 15-yard shot from the right side at 78:21 to give Air Academy the 3-2 win.
Air Academy opened the week, ranked fifth in this week’s CHSAANow.com 4A boys soccer poll. Greeley Central played much of the second half a man down.
In addition to AAHS and GCHS, other teams in the Kadet Kickoff Classic include Discovery Canyon, Fruita Monument, Fossil Ridge, Montrose, Sand Creek and St. Mary’s (Colo. Spgs.).
(Bert Borgmann/CHSAANow.com)