AFA midfielder setting sights on record books

You do the math.

The Air Force women's soccer team has scored 19 goals in its 10 matches this season. Senior midfielder Beth Boyer has seven of those goals and has been credited with three assists.

So it's no trip out on a limb to say Boyer is a large part of Falcons offense. Heck, there have been stretches where Boyer has been the entire AFA offense.

On Friday against Washington State, with the Falcons' hopes again squarely on her back, Boyer was about 2 feet high and wide from adding to her torrid scoring run.

Boyer's penalty kick with less than 3 minutes remaining in the match sailed over the crossbar, allowing Washington State, on a goal in the 51st minute, to escape with a 1-0 win at Cadet Soccer Stadium.

"I can't even remember the last time I missed one," said Boyer, who entered the game as the leading scorer (17 points) in the Mountain West Conference. "I don't even know what happened."

The Falcons' career assist leader with 21, Boyer did all she could throughout the match to carry AFA (4-5-1) to its best season start since joining NCAA Division I in 1996.

The Waukee, Iowa, native launched three second-half direct kicks into the Washington State (4-3) penalty area that nearly were re- directed by teammates for goals. Boyer also dropped back into the AFA defensive end numerous times to help shut down the Cougars, spearheaded the Falcons' counterattack and generally made life miserable for Washington State midfielders with her ball control game in and around the center circle.

"We play her at midfield, we play her up front," AFA coach Marty Buckley said. "Basically, we put here wherever we need her."

For Boyer, seemingly any place will do.

"It's all about being in the right place at the right time," Boyer said. "My role this year has been more offensive. I'm even playing a little bit of forward now. But it really doesn't matter where I play."

In 2000, Boyer was AFA's steadiest player, scoring nine goals with eight assists en route to first-team all-Mountain West Conference honors during a disappointing 6-14-1 season. This year, Buckley has let Boyer dictate AFA's tempo in the midfield. The results, including an early stretch during which AFA had 15 goals in a four-match span, have been superb.

"She can change the tempo of the game," Buckley said. "She can slow it down, she can speed it up.

"She's a talented player. She's one of the best midfielders we've ever had."

For proof, see the record books.

With four more points, Boyer will pass Stephanie Rader and move into third on the AFA career scoring list. The former Iowa state prep player of the year also ranks sixth all-time at AFA with 18 career goals.

"It's funny," Boyer said. "When I came here I was the first girls player from Iowa to go Division I. I was just coming in and trying to get a spot on the team. Over the years, I wanted to make all- conference, then all-region. This year, making all-region is all I really want. That and whatever is going to help us score more goals."

- Tim Spencer may be reached at 636-0250 or tspencer@gazette.com

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