Friday, September 13
USAFA, CO
6:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Army
Women’s soccer wraps on non-conference with showdown against Army
9/12/2024 1:19:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Head Coach Laura Busby looks back on NAU/Montana, talks adjustments ahead of Army and Falcon defense
Capping its 2024 non-conference stretch, Air Force Women's Soccer is back at Cadet Soccer Stadium on Friday evening to protect a 4-1-1 record against fellow service academy Army West Point.
Quick Hits:
Last Time Out:
Air Force Women's Soccer secured its best start since the 2019 season and best start of the Laura Busby coaching era, as the Falcons defeated Northern Arizona, 1-0, to improve to 4-1-1 for the 2024 season.
The deciding goal belonged to senior captain Hannah Johnson, who landed the game winner in the 25th minute off a penalty kick, awarded for illegal contact inside the Air Force box. After an initial PK from a handball whistle earlier in the first half was warded off by NAU goalkeeper Trinity Corcoran, Johnson capitalized on her second chance to buy a Falcon lead that stood through the remainder of the contest. The goal marks Johnson's first of the season.
The Falcons (4-1-1, 0-0 MW) put up 14 shots on the afternoon, totaling seven on-goal. Sophomore forward Kendall Rippley led Falcon production in front of the NAU net, logging five shots and three on-goal, including a one-on-one with Corcoran inside the Lumberjack 18 in the closing seconds of the first half that was just wide.
The first half was a fast-paced affair dominated by the Falcons. Air Force held a slight edge in shot attempts over NAU after 45 – But it was the Falcons' seven shots on-goal to the Lumberjacks' two that was the difference on paper. Air Force got seven attempts on-frame at the NAU net compared to just two for the Lumberjacks, keeping the NAU back line under constant pressure.
After a one-hour lightning delay stalled the start of the second, NAU came back with a renewed sense of urgency, pushing for an equalizer which was never found.
The Lumberjacks doubled up Air Force in shot attempts in the second half and forced junior goalkeeper Kylie McElroy into three saves late in the contest, including an attempt from NAU's Micala Boex from outside the 18 that was just tipped over the crossbar.
Falcons at a Glance:
Air Force, off to its best start since 2019, ranks 14th nationally in goals-against average (.333), 22nd in save percentage (.895) and fifth in the nation in shutout percentage (.833).
Historic Numbers in the Net:
Junior goalkeeper Kylie McElroy, with five shutouts on the season, ranks third nationally in the category, 17th in GAA and 28th in save percentage (.889). Five shutouts ties third all-time in single-season shutouts.
A Look at Army:
The 5-2 Black Knights won all five of their matches consecutively in between a pair of Power Five losses at Wake Forest (Aug. 15, 1-0) and Minnesota (Sept. 5, 3-0).
Army currently tops the Patriot League in save percentage (41st nationally) behind a banner start for goalkeeper Sage Strohman, who leads the conference in saves (44) and save percentage (.846).
Mountain West Weekly Superlatives:
Senior defenseman and team captain Hannah Johnson was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.
Johnson serves as the centerpiece to an Air Force back line which went 1-0-1 through the previous week, only allowing five shots and a single on-goal in a draw with Montana (Sept. 5), followed by scoring the game-winner off a penalty shot against Northern Arizona (Sept. 8) to earn her first goal of the season.
Johnson's award marks the third Mountain West weekly honor awarded to Air Force Women's Soccer in four weeks and the first of Johnson's career.
Climbing in the Polls:
Air Force ranks fourth in the week four United Soccer Coaches Pacific Region poll, climbing from fifth in the previous week:
All-Time Versus Army:
Air Force is 9-9-2 all-time against West Point, sporting a 3-2 record against the Black Knights at Cadet Soccer Stadium:
Air Force is a combined 3-1-1 in its last five matches against Army and 12-13-2 all time in service academy matches (Army and Navy).
A Rising Standard:
Air Force opened 2024 with a 3-0 start, defeating Northern Colorado (4-0), California Baptist (1-0) and Hawaii (3-0) - all in shutout fashion. Three-straight shutout wins for Air Force marked the program's first such occurrence since the 1995 season, when the Falcons earned five-straight.
A 4-0 victory over Northern Colorado in the Falcons' season opener represented the program's first four-goal game and first 4-0 shutout since defeating Fresno State in similar fashion on Oct. 24, 2014; An Eleanor Musgrove hat trick was the headline of the evening in Greeley, as the junior secured Air Force's first three-goal individual performance since Mia Otero scored three against UNLV on Oct. 1, 2021.
4-1-1 to start 2024 marks the Falcons' best start since the 2019 season and best to date of the Laura Busby era of Air Force soccer.
Defying Expectations:
Tabbed for a ninth-place finish in the Mountain West Preseason rankings, Air Force currently boasts the third-best record in the conference, behind Utah State (7-0-0) and Boise State (4-1-0).
Quick Hits:
| Air Force | Army | |
| Record: | 4-1-1 | 5-2-0 |
| Head Coach: | Laura Busby | Tracy Chao |
| Conference: | Mountain West | Patriot League |
| Last Game: | vs. NAU (W, 1-0) | at Minnesota (L, 3-0) |
| Next Game: | vs. Colorado St. (Sept. 26) | vs. American (Sept. 20) |
Last Time Out:
Air Force Women's Soccer secured its best start since the 2019 season and best start of the Laura Busby coaching era, as the Falcons defeated Northern Arizona, 1-0, to improve to 4-1-1 for the 2024 season.
The deciding goal belonged to senior captain Hannah Johnson, who landed the game winner in the 25th minute off a penalty kick, awarded for illegal contact inside the Air Force box. After an initial PK from a handball whistle earlier in the first half was warded off by NAU goalkeeper Trinity Corcoran, Johnson capitalized on her second chance to buy a Falcon lead that stood through the remainder of the contest. The goal marks Johnson's first of the season.
The Falcons (4-1-1, 0-0 MW) put up 14 shots on the afternoon, totaling seven on-goal. Sophomore forward Kendall Rippley led Falcon production in front of the NAU net, logging five shots and three on-goal, including a one-on-one with Corcoran inside the Lumberjack 18 in the closing seconds of the first half that was just wide.
The first half was a fast-paced affair dominated by the Falcons. Air Force held a slight edge in shot attempts over NAU after 45 – But it was the Falcons' seven shots on-goal to the Lumberjacks' two that was the difference on paper. Air Force got seven attempts on-frame at the NAU net compared to just two for the Lumberjacks, keeping the NAU back line under constant pressure.
After a one-hour lightning delay stalled the start of the second, NAU came back with a renewed sense of urgency, pushing for an equalizer which was never found.
The Lumberjacks doubled up Air Force in shot attempts in the second half and forced junior goalkeeper Kylie McElroy into three saves late in the contest, including an attempt from NAU's Micala Boex from outside the 18 that was just tipped over the crossbar.
Falcons at a Glance:
Air Force, off to its best start since 2019, ranks 14th nationally in goals-against average (.333), 22nd in save percentage (.895) and fifth in the nation in shutout percentage (.833).
Historic Numbers in the Net:
Junior goalkeeper Kylie McElroy, with five shutouts on the season, ranks third nationally in the category, 17th in GAA and 28th in save percentage (.889). Five shutouts ties third all-time in single-season shutouts.
A Look at Army:
The 5-2 Black Knights won all five of their matches consecutively in between a pair of Power Five losses at Wake Forest (Aug. 15, 1-0) and Minnesota (Sept. 5, 3-0).
Army currently tops the Patriot League in save percentage (41st nationally) behind a banner start for goalkeeper Sage Strohman, who leads the conference in saves (44) and save percentage (.846).
Mountain West Weekly Superlatives:
Senior defenseman and team captain Hannah Johnson was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.
Johnson serves as the centerpiece to an Air Force back line which went 1-0-1 through the previous week, only allowing five shots and a single on-goal in a draw with Montana (Sept. 5), followed by scoring the game-winner off a penalty shot against Northern Arizona (Sept. 8) to earn her first goal of the season.
Johnson's award marks the third Mountain West weekly honor awarded to Air Force Women's Soccer in four weeks and the first of Johnson's career.
Climbing in the Polls:
Air Force ranks fourth in the week four United Soccer Coaches Pacific Region poll, climbing from fifth in the previous week:
| Rank: | Program: | Prev. | Pts. | W-L-T |
| 1. | Utah State | 1 | 10 | 7-0-0 |
| 2. | Seattle | 4 | 9 | 5-1-1 |
| 3. | Boise State | 3 | 8 | 4-1-0 |
| 4. | Air Force | 5 | 7 | 4-1-1 |
| 5. | Fresno State | 7 | 6 | 4-1-1 |
| 6. | New Mexico | 6 | 5 | 4-1-1 |
| 7. | Grand Canyon | 2 | 4 | 4-2-1 |
| 8. | Utah Valley | 9 | 3 | 3-3-1 |
| 9. | Utah Tech | NR | 2 | 3-1-2 |
| 10. | Colorado State | 8 | 1 | 3-2-1 |
All-Time Versus Army:
Air Force is 9-9-2 all-time against West Point, sporting a 3-2 record against the Black Knights at Cadet Soccer Stadium:
| Date: | H/A/N | Result: | Score: |
| 11/6/92 | A | L | 2-1 |
| 11/6/93 | H | L (OT) | 1-0 |
| 10/5/97 | A | L | 3-2 |
| 10/3/98 | A | W | 3-2 |
| 10/3/99 | N | L | 2-1 |
| 10/1/00 | N | W (OT) | 2-1 |
| 9/30/01 | N | W | 2-0 |
| 9/8/02 | N | L | 2-0 |
| 9/5/03 | N | W | 1-0 |
| 9/19/04 | N | L | 3-1 |
| 9/16/05 | N | W | 2-1 |
| 9/15/06 | A | L | 2-1 |
| 9/14/07 | N | T | 0-0 |
| 9/13/08 | H | W | 3-1 |
| 9/8/17 | H | L | 1-0 |
| 9/7/18 | A | T (OT) | 0-0 |
| 9/7/19 | H | W | 3-0 |
| 9/16/21 | A | W | 2-0 |
| 8/26/22 | H | W | 2-1 |
| 9/7/23 | A | L | 2-1 |
Air Force is a combined 3-1-1 in its last five matches against Army and 12-13-2 all time in service academy matches (Army and Navy).
A Rising Standard:
Air Force opened 2024 with a 3-0 start, defeating Northern Colorado (4-0), California Baptist (1-0) and Hawaii (3-0) - all in shutout fashion. Three-straight shutout wins for Air Force marked the program's first such occurrence since the 1995 season, when the Falcons earned five-straight.
A 4-0 victory over Northern Colorado in the Falcons' season opener represented the program's first four-goal game and first 4-0 shutout since defeating Fresno State in similar fashion on Oct. 24, 2014; An Eleanor Musgrove hat trick was the headline of the evening in Greeley, as the junior secured Air Force's first three-goal individual performance since Mia Otero scored three against UNLV on Oct. 1, 2021.
4-1-1 to start 2024 marks the Falcons' best start since the 2019 season and best to date of the Laura Busby era of Air Force soccer.
Defying Expectations:
Tabbed for a ninth-place finish in the Mountain West Preseason rankings, Air Force currently boasts the third-best record in the conference, behind Utah State (7-0-0) and Boise State (4-1-0).
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
F
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