Thursday, August 14
USAFA, CO
6 pm MT
Air Force Academy
vs
University of Denver
Air Force Women's Soccer Set to Kick Off Season, Hosting Denver
8/13/2025 4:09:00 PM | Women's Soccer
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., - Summer activities have concluded, so the Falcons head back to the pitch! Air Force will get the fall rolling with a season and home opener, hosting the Denver Pioneers on Thursday August 14 at 6 p.m. MT. This match marks the first regular season game for any Air Force athletic team of the 2025-26 school year.
MEDIA
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
BASE ACCESS
Access procedures at the U.S. Air Force Academy continue to affect athletic events. While the installation remains open, anyone without a DoD ID card must obtain a visitor pass to enter the base.
New this year: Passes will now be issued monthly instead of requiring a separate submission for each event. This means ticket holders only need to complete the form once per month to gain access to all events during that time. Ticket holders can request a base pass using this link.
After registering, you will receive a message on our phone to present at the gate when entering the Academy. Fans must also present their game tickets at each venue. All tickets and credentialed attendees can enter through the North or South gate. North gate is recommended for access to athletic fields.
ALL TIME VERSUS THE PIONEERS
Air Force has played 17 total games against Denver and sits at an all-time record of 2-14-1, extending back to the first matchup between the two programs in 1992. The Falcons picked up their pair of wins over the Pioneers at home. The most recent contest, on August. 19, 2021, ended with a Denver win, 5-0.
LAST TIME OUT
On August 4th, the Falcons participated in a neutral exhibition game against Montana in Columbia Falls, Mont. Air Force managed to defeat the reigning Big Sky champions, 1-0, after Reagan Wilson scored the game winner off a corner kick from Ava Ortiz. The exhibition match consisted of three 30-minute periods and every Falcon who was fit to play saw the field. Because of basic cadet training requirements, the freshmen only completed one training session with the entire women's soccer team, so they were used conservatively in the exhibition.
The upperclassmen displayed strong experience across the backline and defended well to secure the shut out.
In the second period, newcomer Sammi Kinoshita hit the post for the best chance, while Maddy Walsh recorded a shot that was cleared off the line. Freshman, Trishelle Lopez made her debut in goal during the same period.
Zahra Friess, a freshman forward, created a third period scoring opportunity, but narrowly missed the goal.
While in Montana, the team had the opportunity to visit Glacier National Park, spend time at the lake, and volunteer with the Community Kids Clinic.
2024 RECAP
The Falcons concluded the fall season of 2024 with an overall record of 5-10-3 and a 1-8-2 Mountain West record.
Air Force saw victories over non-conference opponents Northern Colorado, California Baptist, Hawaii, Northern Arizona, with a single league win against Nevada.
Air Force recorded four of their wins at Cadet Soccer Stadium, leaning into home field advantage and opened 2024 with a three-game win streak, the best start since 2019.
The team collected 19 goals with 13 assists for 51 total points, led by Annika Jost and Kendall Rippley who had three goals, two assists, and eight points each. The Falcons notched five game winners and 116 shots on goal.
In goal, the pair of goalkeepers logged 67 saves and Kylie McElroy marked six shut outs across the season.
FRESH FACES
Air Force welcomes 11 freshmen to the squad. The new additions consist of two goalkeepers: Trishelle Lopez and Syndey Nelms; four midfielders: Melissa Araujo, AJ Heap, Sammi Kinoshita, Nalei Shannon, and Nai'a Garana; three defenders: Ayla Janssen, Ella Johnson, and Ellie McCarron; along with one forward: Zahra Friess.
The class of 2029 enters with strong experience and numerous accolades from high school and club soccer careers.
WELCOME BACK
A strong 21 Falcons are returning from the 2024 season, providing experience and healthy leadership.
Seniors, Peyton Ferrell, Raine Komata, and Samantha Sharp will serve as the 2025 captains. #14 Ferrell, has played a vital midfield role and started all 37 games she has played, scored a pair of goals and marked one assist for five points in 2,614 minutes on the pitch. Defender, Komata, has logged 2,474 minutes on defense and collected six points off a pair of goals and assists across 45 matches. Sharp is a defender who has collected three points off one goal and one assist in 1,025 minutes of play, from 29 appearances and nine starts.
The rest of the leadership council is made up of Addie Doyle and Annika Jost. #13 Doyle, acts as a forward and midfielder, accounting for three goals and two assists across 36 total appearances and 1,788 minutes. C3C Jost, started 10 games out of 17 appearances during her freshman campaign for the Falcons, tallying eight points off three goals and two assists.
A LOOK AT DENVER
The Pioneers are coming off an 11-6-2 season with a Summit League record of 5-1-2 to finish at second in the conference standing. Denver closed the 2024 season with a five-match win streak, until they lost in the SL semifinals to South Dakota State.
DU added 10 newcomers, comprised of eight freshmen and two transfers.
UP NEXT
Air Force will head north to take on familiar foe, Colorado, on Sunday August 17 at 1 p.m. MT in Boulder, Colo.
COACH BUSBY INTERVIEW
MEDIA
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
BASE ACCESS
Access procedures at the U.S. Air Force Academy continue to affect athletic events. While the installation remains open, anyone without a DoD ID card must obtain a visitor pass to enter the base.
New this year: Passes will now be issued monthly instead of requiring a separate submission for each event. This means ticket holders only need to complete the form once per month to gain access to all events during that time. Ticket holders can request a base pass using this link.
After registering, you will receive a message on our phone to present at the gate when entering the Academy. Fans must also present their game tickets at each venue. All tickets and credentialed attendees can enter through the North or South gate. North gate is recommended for access to athletic fields.
ALL TIME VERSUS THE PIONEERS
Air Force has played 17 total games against Denver and sits at an all-time record of 2-14-1, extending back to the first matchup between the two programs in 1992. The Falcons picked up their pair of wins over the Pioneers at home. The most recent contest, on August. 19, 2021, ended with a Denver win, 5-0.
LAST TIME OUT
On August 4th, the Falcons participated in a neutral exhibition game against Montana in Columbia Falls, Mont. Air Force managed to defeat the reigning Big Sky champions, 1-0, after Reagan Wilson scored the game winner off a corner kick from Ava Ortiz. The exhibition match consisted of three 30-minute periods and every Falcon who was fit to play saw the field. Because of basic cadet training requirements, the freshmen only completed one training session with the entire women's soccer team, so they were used conservatively in the exhibition.
The upperclassmen displayed strong experience across the backline and defended well to secure the shut out.
In the second period, newcomer Sammi Kinoshita hit the post for the best chance, while Maddy Walsh recorded a shot that was cleared off the line. Freshman, Trishelle Lopez made her debut in goal during the same period.
Zahra Friess, a freshman forward, created a third period scoring opportunity, but narrowly missed the goal.
While in Montana, the team had the opportunity to visit Glacier National Park, spend time at the lake, and volunteer with the Community Kids Clinic.
2024 RECAP
The Falcons concluded the fall season of 2024 with an overall record of 5-10-3 and a 1-8-2 Mountain West record.
Air Force saw victories over non-conference opponents Northern Colorado, California Baptist, Hawaii, Northern Arizona, with a single league win against Nevada.
Air Force recorded four of their wins at Cadet Soccer Stadium, leaning into home field advantage and opened 2024 with a three-game win streak, the best start since 2019.
The team collected 19 goals with 13 assists for 51 total points, led by Annika Jost and Kendall Rippley who had three goals, two assists, and eight points each. The Falcons notched five game winners and 116 shots on goal.
In goal, the pair of goalkeepers logged 67 saves and Kylie McElroy marked six shut outs across the season.
FRESH FACES
Air Force welcomes 11 freshmen to the squad. The new additions consist of two goalkeepers: Trishelle Lopez and Syndey Nelms; four midfielders: Melissa Araujo, AJ Heap, Sammi Kinoshita, Nalei Shannon, and Nai'a Garana; three defenders: Ayla Janssen, Ella Johnson, and Ellie McCarron; along with one forward: Zahra Friess.
The class of 2029 enters with strong experience and numerous accolades from high school and club soccer careers.
WELCOME BACK
A strong 21 Falcons are returning from the 2024 season, providing experience and healthy leadership.
Seniors, Peyton Ferrell, Raine Komata, and Samantha Sharp will serve as the 2025 captains. #14 Ferrell, has played a vital midfield role and started all 37 games she has played, scored a pair of goals and marked one assist for five points in 2,614 minutes on the pitch. Defender, Komata, has logged 2,474 minutes on defense and collected six points off a pair of goals and assists across 45 matches. Sharp is a defender who has collected three points off one goal and one assist in 1,025 minutes of play, from 29 appearances and nine starts.
The rest of the leadership council is made up of Addie Doyle and Annika Jost. #13 Doyle, acts as a forward and midfielder, accounting for three goals and two assists across 36 total appearances and 1,788 minutes. C3C Jost, started 10 games out of 17 appearances during her freshman campaign for the Falcons, tallying eight points off three goals and two assists.
A LOOK AT DENVER
The Pioneers are coming off an 11-6-2 season with a Summit League record of 5-1-2 to finish at second in the conference standing. Denver closed the 2024 season with a five-match win streak, until they lost in the SL semifinals to South Dakota State.
DU added 10 newcomers, comprised of eight freshmen and two transfers.
UP NEXT
Air Force will head north to take on familiar foe, Colorado, on Sunday August 17 at 1 p.m. MT in Boulder, Colo.
COACH BUSBY INTERVIEW
Players Mentioned
CDM
/ Women's Soccer
F/M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
ST
/ Women's Soccer
WB
/ Women's Soccer
CB
/ Women's Soccer
CB
/ Women's Soccer
D/M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
FB
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F/M
/ Women's Soccer
D
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