Air Force, who entered as the No. 6 seed, improved its record to 10-8-1 overall. UNLV, who entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed, ends its 2003 season at 6-12.

The Rebels got on the board first in the 7th minute when Alex Hernandez connected on a goal from Brendon Bain. Bain began the play by leading a pass to Hernandez in front of the Falcon goal. Hernandez took a touch and placed the ball to the left side for the score. Hernandez is now tied for second in the MPSF with 12 goals on the year.

Air Force answered back in the 20th minute after a goal by Marcus Sagastume off an assist by Daniel Walsh. The Falcons increased their lead to 2-1 in the 26th minute when Dan Bolin and Sagastume connected on a goal. Sagastume did the distributing this time with a lead pass to Bolin who sent a shot into the right side. Sagastume, who is now second on the squad with eight goals, collected his conference leading 13th assist.

The Falcons put the game out of reach in the 49th minute when Daniel Wasson connected on an unassisted goal. Air Force was aggressive on the offensive end and a shot was cleared softly out in front of the Rebel goal. Wasson, who now leads the MPSF with 16 goals, collected the ball and connected on a rocket shot to the right side of the net.

UNLV’s Peter Clitheroe and Air Force’s Brian Dougal each collected a game-high 10 saves in the contest.

Air Force will next face No. 2 New Mexico in the first game of the quarterfinals at Hornet Soccer Field on Friday, Nov. 14, at 4:30 p.m.