Sacramento State drops to 5-10-0 on the season and 2-4-0 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, while the Falcons improve to 3-10-1 overall and 2-4 in conference.

Jones scored his third goal of the season on assists from freshman forward Zlatan Kuckovic and junior midfielder Eli Millan, but Air Force tied the match less than three minutes later.

In the 17th minute, Nigro reached a rebound in front of Sacramento State’s goal for his first score of the season. Air Force delivered the pressure most of the first half, outshooting the Hornets 16-5, but sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Gangnuss made 10 first-half saves to keep things tied at halftime.

In the second half Sacramento State pushed for the go-ahead goal, outshooting the Falcons 12-5, but it was Nigro who created an opportunity in the 72 minute. His 20-yard shot ricochetted off the post and then deflected off a Hornet defender before finding the back of the net.

Sacramento State senior Oscar Sandoval led the Hornets with seven shots during the match, including a late attempt in the 89th minute that went wide. Air Force goalkeeper Brain Guyette made nine stops during the game to prevent the Hornets from scoring the equalizer.

Millan has now scored a goal or added an assist in four of Sacramento State’s last five matches.

Sacramento State will now finish its trip to Colorado for a match on Sunday against MPSF leading Denver. The Pioneers (10-3-1) are undefeated with a 6-0 record in league play and have surrendered only one goal – to Sacramento State’s Zlatan Kuckovic – in their last six matches.