COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - UC Riverside (2-4-0, 0-0-0) paired an explosive offensive with stalwart defense to take down the Air Force Falcons (0-6-1, 0-0-0) 2-0 on Friday night at Cadet Soccer Stadium at the United States Air Force Academy.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Luka Lukic capitalized on an early opportunity, finding the back of the net after a pass from Tarek Hamideh in the 11' to bring the Highlanders into the lead in the first half.
• UC Riverside defense fended off six Falcon shots in the first half, preventing all but one of the Air Force attacks from landing on target.
• In the 62' of play, Noah Lopez sent a shot soaring into the back of the Falcons' net off an assist from Edward Castro to extend the Highlanders' lead 2-0.
• Although the Falcons sent 13 shots towards the Highlanders in the second half, UCR defense remained vigilant and only two were on target, both of which Carlos Gonzalez saved.

NOTABLES 

• Gonzalez and UC Riverside's back line recorded their first shutout of the 2024 season.
• Lukic was once again UCR's offensive catalyst with his third goal of the season. 
• Lopez bolstered the Highlanders' offense in the second half, also scoring his third goal of the season.

UP NEXT 

• UCR continues the road trip on Wednesday, September 25 with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at CBU for our annual Crosstown Showdown, to be streamed on ESPN+.