Sept. 22, 2008

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AIR FORCE (2-5-0 overall, 0-0-0 MPSF) picked up its first two wins of the season, taking out service-academy rivals Navy, 1-0, and Army, 2-1, to win the BSC Armed Forces Classic in Birmingham, AL. The win over Navy was the first for Air Force in the series since 1984. Junior Steve Noller scored once in each game, while freshman Zach Brinlee scored his first collegiate goal vs. the Knights, on the heels of his first collegiate assist vs. Navy. Junior goalkeeper Jim Gullo posted his first career shutout. The Falcons head to No. 21 UC Davis Saturday.

UNLV (5-2-1 overall, 0-0-0 MPSF) finished second in the San Francisco Nike Classic, picking up a 1-1 tie with the host Dons and a 2-1 triumph over St. Mary's. Senior Lamar Neagle put away two goals 29 seconds apart, with under six minutes remaining in regulation to lift the Rebels over the Gaels. Neagle was an all-tournament selection, scoring all three Rebel goals, as was senior defender John Crawley. UNLV is next in action Oct. 3 at Air Force for the start of MPSF.

SAN JOSE STATE (3-1-2 overall, 0-0-0 MPSF) earned a 2-2 tie at home against Cal Poly last Wednesday, a team that was ranked in the top-30 recently. The Spartans then scored a 2-1 home win over Seattle on Sunday. Senior Ed Brand fired in a penalty kick goal with less than one minute to play in regulation to force the eventual tie vs. the Mustangs. Senior Hiroki Akiyama assisted on the game's first goal, and scored one of his own in the win over Seattle. The Spartans are on the road this week, at Santa Clara Wednesday and CS Bakersfield Sunday.

NEW MEXICO (3-3-2 overall, 0-0-0 MPSF) junior Simon Ejdemyr was named Defensive MVP of the Husky Classic in Seattle, though the Lobos came away with a loss and a tie over the weekend. Senior Jack Smithson scored in a 1-1 draw against Portland, and dished out his first assist in a 3-2 overtime loss against Washington. UNM is off this week, and now turns its attention to the start of MPSF action, Oct. 3 at Denver.

DENVER (2-4-0 overall, 0-0-0 MPSF) played No. 7 St. Louis extremely tough on the road Saturday night, in a tight 1-0 loss. The Billikens converted in the 88th-minute for the win. Sophomore Joe Willis collected six saves in the Pioneer cage in his return to his hometown. Another huge challenge and opportunity is on the horizon, with a visit to No. 5 Creighton Saturday (Sept. 27).

SACRAMENTO STATE (5-1-1 overall, 0-0-0 MPSF) senior Blake Nunes scored a game-tying goal in the second half at Cal State Northridge Sunday, though the Hornets ultimately suffered their first setback of the season, 2-1. Non-conference action continues as No. 21 UC Davis visits on Thursday (Sept. 25), followed by a visit from Cal Poly Sunday (Sept. 28).

NEAGLE AND NOLLER MPSF BRINE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Woodland, Calif. - UNLV senior forward Lamar Neagle (Federal Way, WA/Jefferson HS) scored all three Rebel goals this past weekend to help his team to second place at the San Francisco Nike Classic. Against St. Mary's, he scored twice with less than six minutes left in regulation and 29 seconds apart, to lift UNLV to a 2-1 win. He has tallied in four straight games and moves into ninth all-time on the career goals list at UNLV (23).

Woodland, Calif. - Air Force junior forward Steve Noller (Fort Collins, CO/Rocky Mountain HS) scored two of three Falcon goals in the Birmingham Southern Armed Forces Classic, leading the way in wins over service-academy rivals Navy (1-0) and Army (2-1). He scored in the 77th-minute vs. Navy for the first win over the Midshipmen since 1984. Noller owns five points on the year.