FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Southern Utah University women's soccer team dropped a 5-0 non-conference match to the Air Force Academy in a neutral site match played on the campus of Northern Arizona University Sunday afternoon.

The Thunderbirds dropped to 2-4-1 overall while Air Force improved to 6-3-1.

Air Force used three first half goals to build a 3-0 lead at the break. Southern Utah redshirt-sophomore keeper Charly Booth recovered after a couple bad bounces led to the Falcon goals, making a number of athletic saves to keep SUU in the match.

Junior midfielder Elyse Alexander led a couple Thunderbird offensive attacks midway through the first half. Alexander drove the ball deep into Air Force territory and sent in two right crosses that junior forward McKenzie Hadley received inside the box but saw her volleyed shots miss wide right on both occasions.

Minutes later SUU put together another scoring opportunity but again just missed getting on the board. Redshirt-sophomore forward Stacey Brinkman's free kick from 30 yards out along the right side, landed inside the Air Force box and this time it was junior midfielder Riley Bassett who gained position and volleyed a shot high of the goal.

Air Force added a pair of goals late in the match before holding off a couple Thunderbird attacks in the later minutes.

The Falcons finished with a 17-12- shot advantage. Booth made eight saves while Bassett led SUU with three shots.

Southern Utah returns home to host Utah Valley University at the Thunderbird Soccer Field on Saturday at 2 p.m.