Borntreger gets Air Force up early, Falcons hold on for 1-0 win over California Baptist

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Air Force women's soccer team overcame a monstrous challenge in the early stages of its 2024 season, defeating California Baptist 1-0 on Thursday evening in the Falcons' 2024 home opener.

Sophomore Chase Borntreger provided what proved to be the winning punch in just the sixth minute of play, finding the back of the CBU net after an Air Force free kick from just beyond the Lancers' 18 deflected off the left glove of goalkeeper Bella Lister. Borntreger was positioned perfectly to take control of the deflection and slip the ball past CBU, notching her first goal of the season and the eventual game winner.

The Falcons (2-0) once again provided evidence that their offense is one to take seriously, as they logged 17 shots on the evening, seven of which were on goal. Sophomore Kendall Rippley led Air Force with six shots with three on-frame; Borntreger logged three, with a pair on-goal including the game-winner; Freshman midfielder Mai Mateaki added two.

Junior goalkeeper Kylie McElroy earned her second shutout in as many career starts, facing three saves on the evening and stifling multiple threatening plays at the Air Force net. Air Force's shutout over CBU Thursday marked the Falcons' first back-to-back pair of clean sheets since downing Navy (1-0) and Army (2-0) consecutively in 2021.

The Lancers, falling behind early, never once relented on the Falcons, putting up 11 of their 15 shots in the second half. CBU's Kaylee Hauck led the game with eight shot attempts, putting three in front of McElroy.

CBU, despite now sporting a 1-2 record, entered Thursday's contest seeking retribution after falling just 1-0 to a No. 23 USC team in Riverside just four days prior. The Lancers closed their 2023 season with an 11-2-6 record while leading the WAC in goals-against average (.684) and save percentage (.840), while sporting one of the most potent offenses in the Division I.

Up Next:
Air Force Women's Soccer is off to O'ahu for a pair of games against the Rainbow Wahine of Hawaii (Aug. 29) and Grand Canyon (Sept. 1).

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