Mendez Leads Lancers Past the Air Force

Thursday, October 31

Riverside, Calif.

7:00 PM

California Baptist University

5-6-5, 4-3-1

Air Force

1-14-1, 1-7-0

Air Force

California Baptist

Photo by: Ryley Collom

Mendez Leads Lancers Past the Air Force

10/31/2024 10:10:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Mariah Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and Digital Media

RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist men's soccer program clinched a spot in the 2024 Western Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday evening following an exciting match against the Air Force Academy. The Lancers secured three points at home after downing the Falcons 4-2 with the help of a brace from Leo Mendez to improve to 5-6-5 on the year and 4-3-1 in conference play.

Thursday's match started slow for California Baptist as the Air Force's defense started strong and held the Lancers scoreless through 40 minutes of action while finding a few opportunities themselves. Jiro Uchida drew first blood in the 40th minute with a shot just outside the 18-yard box off a pass from Tizian Marth. Not even five minutes later, Mendez slotted away his first goal of the night off a perfect pass from Uchida to put the Lancers ahead by two heading into halftime.

CBU continued to find opportunities from the start of the next half and were rewarded just five minutes in after Mendez battled a lone Falcon in the box, sliding in his second of the match. Not long after, the Air Force found its footing and began to test Hugo Do Rego and the CBU backline. Carter Rizzo found the back of the net for the Falcons in the 57th minute, but CBU answered seven minutes later with an Andrew Lovell goal to extend their lead back to three. The final goal of the evening went to the Air Force off of a corner kick set piece after a Falcon hit a volley off of Do Rego's punch into the left of the netting.

California Baptist outshot the Falcons 28 to 15, but the shots on frame were much more even with CBU firing nine while the Air Force had seven. Frustration from the away squad was evident as the match proceeded, as the Falcons collected a pair of yellow cards and were called for eight fouls throughout the evening.

The Lancers will now prepare to host Utah Valley on Sunday evening at 5 p.m. for their final home match of the season while also celebrating their seniors prior to the game.