Kansas City
Air Force
'Roos Knock Off Air Force 2-1 On Big Night By Chiaparro
10/18/2013 10:26:00 PM | Men's Soccer
(Kansas City, Mo.) - Junior forward Tato Chiaparro had a goal and an assist in leading Kansas City men's soccer to a 2-1 win over Air Force on Friday night at Durwood Stadium in WAC action.
The 'Roos (3-5-4, 2-1-1 WAC) controlled the first half with a 9-5 shot advantage and several scoring opportunities, and it got the game's opening goal in the 21st minute. Senior Guerrero Pino took the ball and went on a 30 yard dribbling run into the box toward the left goal post, but was forced to turn it square outside for Chiaparro, who sliced inside the box and hit a right-footed shot from 16 yards out that curved around the goalkeeper and into the top right corner.
It was his fourth goal of the season, and second against Air Force (1-9-1, 1-1-1 WAC), scoring and assisting against them last week as well. Kansas City also scored multiple goals for the third straight game, and extended its unbeaten streak to three games. It was also the first time the 'Roos have ever defeated the Falcons in five tries (tied last Friday 2-2).
The 'Roos took that lead into the half, but the second period was a much more even contest. Air Force came out strong, and generated several scoring chances on UMKC defensive miscues, but finally broke through with a goal at the 61 minute mark when Luke Villamaria sent a cross in from the right side that found a streaking Matt Payne on the back post for a header goal.
Kansas City answered quickly though, just 1:39 later when Chiaparro beat a defender on the right side before sending it across on the ground across the six. An Air Force defender got a small deflection on it, but junior Jordan Rideout was there for the easy finish to make it 2-1.
It was Rideout's sixth goal of the season and 20th of his career, moving him into third place alone on the all-time scoring charts.
UMKC goalkeeper Chris McGaughey was solid on the night, making six saves, including a few key stops in the second half to preserve the win.
The 'Roos had a few chances of their own in the final stanza, including a header by Pino that was saved by AFA goalkeeper Joey Speshock early on, and another that was cleared off the line by the Falcons defense in the 66th minute when sophomore Roberto Albuquerque got on the end of a corner kick.
UMKC finished the night with a 15-13 shot advantage, with four each from Pino and Rideout.
Kansas City will finish the home stand on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. against Grand Canyon.
Players Mentioned
