Jackson Scores Two Goals in 3-2 Loss to AFA

Friday, October 30

Colorado Springs, Colo.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

6-8-0, 2-5-0WAC

Air Force

6-8-1, 3-4-1WAC

OT 2

Grand Canyon

Air Force

10/30/2015 5:46:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

GCU-AFA Box Score (PDF)

COLORADO SPRINGS – To kick off the final road trip of the season, the Grand Canyon men's soccer team took on Air Force. Niki Jackson scored his fifth and sixth goal of the season but it wasn't enough as the Antelopes fell to Air Force 3-2 in overtime. GCU is now 6-9-0 this season and 2-5 in the Western Athletic Conference.

"I think we came out a little flat in the first half but I am proud of the way we responded in the second half," head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "We take away a lot of positives from this game and we will be ready to go on Sunday against UMKC."

It was an even first half as both teams looked to get a feel for the game. Grand Canyon was able to fire off five shots in the first half, placing three on goal while Air Force had six shots in the first half with one on target. Senior Amare Thomas made his return to the field after coming back from injury and was able to get off two shots in the first half but both teams went into halftime scoreless.

When play resumed, the pace picked up as the two teams 27 shots in the second half. Air Force would jump on the board first in the 55^th minute off a header from John Sims as the Falcons took the 1-0 lead.

It didn't take long for the Lopes to respond with a goal eight minutes later from Jackson. As Jackson was able to carry the ball down the right side of the field, Jackson forced his defender to tackle him inside the box leading to a penalty kick. With the pressure on, Jackson would shoot to the left side of the goal, scoring his fifth goal of the season.

Thirteen minutes later, Jaric Marton would score from 20-yards out as Air Force retook the lead with 17 minutes left in regulation. As the Falcons were looking to seal the win, the Lopes once again fought back as Amare Thomas was able to serve up the ball at midfield all the way to the top of AFA's box where Jackson made his run and jumped up for a header from 17-yards out to tie the match with just over five minutes remaining.

The match would go into overtime and nearly two minutes into overtime, the Falcons would force an own goal to come away with the 3-2 victory. The Lopes will play their final road match of the season against Missouri-Kansas City on Sunday, Nov. 1 with the match beginning at 12 p.m.