Monday, April 5
USAFA, CO
1 PM MT
Air Force Academy
3-4-1, 3-4-1
4
vs
1
California Baptist
5-4-2, 4-4-1
1
2
F
California Baptist
0
1
1
Air Force
2
2
4
Photo by: Sarah Goldblum
Air Force Cruises by California Baptist, 4-1
4/5/2021 4:24:00 PM | Men's Soccer
USAF ACADEMY - Air Force took down California Baptist, 4-1, in a Monday afternoon Western Athletic Conference meeting at Cadet Soccer Stadium. The Falcons improve to 3-4-1 on the season to keep their post-season hopes alive. The Lancers are now 5-4-2 overall with a 4-4-1 mark in the league.
The Falcons played with pace and energy, scoring two goals in each half while only giving up one goal on a penalty kick opportunity in the 83rd minute. The Air Force defense, anchored by its starting line, Max Sole, London Aghedo, Tyler Johnson and Jared Dove were successful in keeping the California Baptist offense quiet. Junior goalie Kainoa Likewise recorded four saves on the day, narrowly missing his second shutout of the season.
Air Force got to work early with Michael Neacsu's first goal coming in the eighth minute, marking the third goal for Neacsu this season. Elijah Bussey, who was credited with the assist, shook a couple of defenders just off the end line before serving Neacsu the ball for a finish over CBU's 6'7'' goalie, Gage Rogers.
Just under 20 minutes later, the Falcons struck again as Luke Hill finished within the box via quick touches from Tyler Johnson and Elijah Bussey. At the Halftime break, Air Force was outshooting the Lancers, 7-6.
Freshman forward Thaddaeus Dewing, who is tied with Neacsu for most points this season (7), scored his third goal this season with a finish off the toe by way of touch assists from Quinn Matulis and Lathan Spadafora in the 54thth minute.
Air Force's final strike came from a set piece in the 68th minute as team captain Giuliano Daniel serviced a free kick deep into the thick of a packed box, deflecting off a Lancer defender into the keep of Jared Dove who finished the job on the far post.
As the Falcons drew near to a potential 4-0 shutout, an Air Force foul deep inside the keeper's box in the 83rd minute yielded the Lancers a penalty kick. CBU sent forth Reuben Daas who got Likewise to pursue in the wrong direction, scoring the Lancers' only goal.
At the final horn, the Falcons and Lancers took 14 shots apiece, but 11 of Air Force's shots were on target while CBU only put five on frame.
"It was awesome to get a positive result in the reopening of our home pitch," head coach Doug Hill said. "It was a good day to break in the new back stops at the stadium, but fortunately, we didn't need them because we were putting shots in the goal. California Baptist has been having a good season and I'm pleased with how well we played against them."
"We had four different scorers and got the whole lineup into the match, so it was a good day for us. Now all of our focus shifts to Friday night and our chance to win three in a row. If we want to make it into the playoffs we need to take care of business this week in training and get the job done on Senior Night."
Air Force closes the regular season against Houston Baptist (0-7-1 WAC), Friday evening (April 10), at Cadet Soccer Stadium. Prior to the match, seniors Reece Cooke, Ryan Clary, Garrett Miyaoka and Max Sole will be honored for Senior Night. Kick-off is slated for 6 p.m. MT.
The Falcons played with pace and energy, scoring two goals in each half while only giving up one goal on a penalty kick opportunity in the 83rd minute. The Air Force defense, anchored by its starting line, Max Sole, London Aghedo, Tyler Johnson and Jared Dove were successful in keeping the California Baptist offense quiet. Junior goalie Kainoa Likewise recorded four saves on the day, narrowly missing his second shutout of the season.
Air Force got to work early with Michael Neacsu's first goal coming in the eighth minute, marking the third goal for Neacsu this season. Elijah Bussey, who was credited with the assist, shook a couple of defenders just off the end line before serving Neacsu the ball for a finish over CBU's 6'7'' goalie, Gage Rogers.
Just under 20 minutes later, the Falcons struck again as Luke Hill finished within the box via quick touches from Tyler Johnson and Elijah Bussey. At the Halftime break, Air Force was outshooting the Lancers, 7-6.
Freshman forward Thaddaeus Dewing, who is tied with Neacsu for most points this season (7), scored his third goal this season with a finish off the toe by way of touch assists from Quinn Matulis and Lathan Spadafora in the 54thth minute.
Air Force's final strike came from a set piece in the 68th minute as team captain Giuliano Daniel serviced a free kick deep into the thick of a packed box, deflecting off a Lancer defender into the keep of Jared Dove who finished the job on the far post.
As the Falcons drew near to a potential 4-0 shutout, an Air Force foul deep inside the keeper's box in the 83rd minute yielded the Lancers a penalty kick. CBU sent forth Reuben Daas who got Likewise to pursue in the wrong direction, scoring the Lancers' only goal.
At the final horn, the Falcons and Lancers took 14 shots apiece, but 11 of Air Force's shots were on target while CBU only put five on frame.
"It was awesome to get a positive result in the reopening of our home pitch," head coach Doug Hill said. "It was a good day to break in the new back stops at the stadium, but fortunately, we didn't need them because we were putting shots in the goal. California Baptist has been having a good season and I'm pleased with how well we played against them."
"We had four different scorers and got the whole lineup into the match, so it was a good day for us. Now all of our focus shifts to Friday night and our chance to win three in a row. If we want to make it into the playoffs we need to take care of business this week in training and get the job done on Senior Night."
Air Force closes the regular season against Houston Baptist (0-7-1 WAC), Friday evening (April 10), at Cadet Soccer Stadium. Prior to the match, seniors Reece Cooke, Ryan Clary, Garrett Miyaoka and Max Sole will be honored for Senior Night. Kick-off is slated for 6 p.m. MT.
Team Stats
CBU
AFA
Goals
1
4
Shots
14
14
Shots on Goal
5
11
Saves
7
4
Corners
5
2
Fouls
8
10
Scoring Plays
Michael Neacsu (3)
Assisted By: Elijah Bussey
GOAL by AFA Neacsu, Michael Assist by Bussey, Elijah.
07:34
Luke Hill (1)
Assisted By: Tyler Johnson , Elijah Bussey
GOAL by AFA Hill, Luke Assist by Johnson, Tyler and Bussey, Elijah.
28:25
Thaddaeus Dewing (3)
Assisted By: Quinn Matulis , Lathan Spadafora
GOAL by AFA Dewing, Thaddaeus Assist by Matulis, Quinn and Spadafora, Lathan.
53:52
Jared Dove (1)
GOAL by AFA Dove, Jared.
67:03
Reuben Dass (3)
CBU Reuben Dass PENALTY KICK GOAL.
82:44
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
def
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
/ Men's SoccerForward
/ Men's SoccerDefender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's SoccerMidfield
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
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