California Baptist University
Air Force
MSOC Preview: Lancers Close Out Regular Season at Home Against Air Force and Utah Valley
10/28/2024 4:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
RIVERSIDE - After splitting the season's final road trip against Grand Canyon and UTRGV, the California Baptist University men's soccer team will play their final two contests of the 2024 regular season in front of home crowds on Thursday, October 31 and Sunday, November 3. Halloween will see the Lancers host Air Force, the only team already eliminated from WAC Tournament contention, followed by Utah Valley on Sunday for Senior Night.
The Lancers collected their three points last week with a come-from-behind win in Phoenix against the Lopes. Despite falling behind 1-0 early in the second half, CBU hung tough and were rewarded with their equalizer in the 76th minute from captain David Cordes. The winning score came courtesy of an own goal five minutes later after the GCU keeper misplayed a clearance punch, which ricocheted into the Lope goal.
AIR FORCE AT A GLANCE
The Falcons have had a down year compared to recent seasons that have seen them ranked in the top 25 and earning at-large bids for the WAC. Air Force has managed a record of just 1-13-1 in 2024, playing to a 1-1 draw at Michigan State on September 6 and defeating GCU in Phoenix, 2-1, on October 10.
AFA has scored just nine goals in those 15 games, which ranks third-least in all of Division I. Despite allowing 38 goals so far, the Falcons rank 21st overall in saves per game at 4.67.
UTAH VALLEY AT A GLANCE
The Wolverines posted a respectable 5-2-2 non-conference record before starting up a daunting WAC slate that has them heading into the season's final week 1-3-2 in league play. Their lone win so far this season came at Air Force, but they will take on Utah Tech tonight, Monday, October 28, and San Diego State before making their way to Riverside.
Despite their record, UVU boasts the WAC's most effective offensive weapon in Omar Yehya. The redshirt senior leads the conference in goals (11) and total points (24), with no one else within three goals of him.
Yehya has had three multi-goal games so far in 2024, most recently posting a brace in a 3-2 loss to San Jose State in Orem.
