Griz battle Falcons to scoreless draw

Thursday, September 5

Colorado Springs, Colo.

6 PM

Montana

4-2-1

Air Force

3-1-1

Montana

Air Force

Photo: Mark Coen (Air Force Athletics)

9/5/2024 9:23:00 PM | Soccer

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

Montana soccer coach Chris Citowicki will gladly take a win every time his team steps on the field. But when that can't happen, give him what took place in Colorado Springs on Thursday night as an acceptable second option.

His Grizzlies faced a skilled, motivated Air Force squad at Cadet Soccer Stadium, took the repeated body blows of 28 shots but never allowed the Falcons to land the knockout punch, the match between ranked teams ending in a scoreless draw.

"I love a good defensive performance because that's where my soul is," Citowicki said. "The team laid out today and it was beautiful to watch. Give me a good defensive performance any day."

After overwhelming IU Indianapolis on Sunday, Montana was put on the defensive from the opening minutes on Thursday, the Falcons out-shooting the Grizzlies 16-1 in the first half.

Bayliss Flynn, making her second collegiate start in goal in place of Ashlyn Dvorak, made seven saves in the first 45 minutes alone. She finished with nine for the match.

"Even when she was sitting in the second or third spot, Bayliss trained with confidence. What I didn't realize is how high her ceiling can go when she's the starter," said Citowicki. "There is another level to her come game day that was so impressive today."

Air Force entered the match ranked No. 5 in the Pacific Region and for good reason. The Falcons opened the season with a 4-0 win on the road at Northern Colorado and won their first three matches of the season without allowing a goal.

"They were brilliant, possibly the best team we've faced all year. It wasn't just the athleticism, it was the way they played, the energy they came out with. They just tried to suffocate us," said Citowicki. "They were tremendous.

"We had to survive until halftime and then fix it and find ways to keep the ball. For us to not die from it shows how good our team can be."

Montana's one shot in the first half was the best look at goal by either team the entire game. Ava Samuelson took the ball up the left side and crossed the ball across the goal to a waiting Skyleigh Thompson, who bodied it into the hands of Air Force's goalkeeper.

Then it was on to the locker room.

"We talked inside, I need to see a team who just fights today, fights for literally everything. Show me that," said Citowicki, whose team was without three would-be starters, Dvorak, Mea Parkhurst and Ally Henrikson. "They put everything on the field today. Just so proud of them."

Charley Boone and Reeve Borseth played all 90 minutes at center back, Hayley Bass played 78 in Henrikson's absence.

Air Force took 12 second-half shots but only two were on goal.

"It became a real game in the second half. Our team adjusted so well. We had to be so smart to make the right decisions. And then you need a goalkeeper who can make saves and the way we played defensively, I couldn't be happier with it," said Citowicki.

"We solved problems, but they are still a good team. We cut down their chances but they are still going to create."

Montana's best chance in the second half again came off the foot of Samuelson, who lofted a ball with five and a half minutes left toward the head of Delaney Lou Schorr, who whipped the ball just left and high of the goal.

Montana (4-2-1) will play at Wyoming (1-2-1) at noon on Sunday in Laramie. The Cowgirls picked up their first win of the season on Thursday night, winning 2-0 at Northern Colorado on two second-half goals.