Despite out-shooting the Falcons 21-6 and having a man advantage for the final 32 minutes, the Utah Valley men's soccer team fell to WAC-leading Air Force 3-1 behind a hat trick from Thaddaeus Dewing.
Tyler Johnson was sent off in the 59th minute for a poor aerial challenge on Ben Ortiz, who took an elbow to the head. Tyler Johnson had previously picked up a first yellow in the 34th minute. Despite being tied at one at the time, defensive miscues allowed the undermanned Falcons to add two goals and claim the victory.
The Falcons got on the board in the 14th minute off a free kick from Jacob Angeletti. Dewing rose highest and headed home the cross just inside the left post.
The Wolverines were able to gain more sustained possession as the half wore on, but only managed one shot on goal. Utah Valley's best chance came in the final minute of the first half off of a corner kick. Diego Castillo's corner kick bounced around the penalty area, but each of the Wolverines' shots were blocked before they could reach the keeper.
Loed Klaasen had a decent chance to start the second half in the 49th minute, taking a feed from Mark Andros. Klaasen's shot rolled across the face of goal, but went just past the far post untouched.
Samuel Krommenhoek got Utah Valley on the board in the 52nd minute off of a corner kick. Andros' in-swinger found the redshirt junior defender's head inside the six-yard box, who connected with the cross just before Falcon keeper John Byszewski could get a hand on it.
Following Tyler Johnson's ejection, Carter Johnson nearly put the Wolverines ahead in the 60th minute, but his header floated across the face of goal and out of play.
The Wolverines dodged a bullet in the 69th minute after closing down a furious Air Force counterattack, and immediately turned it into a scoring opportunity of their own at the other end. Owen Knecht broke down the right flank and into the penalty area, but his shot was parried away by the keeper.
A misplayed ball between Smith and Mateo Palomino resulted in an easy goal for Dewing in the 74th minute, who was able to walk it in. Dewing capped off his hat trick in the 78th minute from the penalty spot after Krommenhoek fouled Angeletti in the 18-yard box.
For the first time in nearly 50 days, the Wolverines will return home to Clyde Field on Thursday to take on the Houston Christian Huskies. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. MDT and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.
