By: Mariah Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and Digital Media
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist women's soccer program opened its 2024 campaign last week, going 1-1 on the young season. The Lancers kicked off the year with a 1-0 victory in their home opener against CSUN but fell 1-0 to #23 USC in a defensive battle on Sunday evening. CBU will now gear up for its first pair of away games this season and will head to Colorado to face the Air Force and Colorado State.
THE LANCERS AT A GLANCE
Head Coach Kristen St. Clair's squad showed extremely positive moments during the first week, especially on the defensive side. The Lancers backline might be the best in the Western Athletic Conference, especially after limiting #23 USC to just eight quality chances through 90 minutes of play. Summer Allen was rewarded for her defensive work after she was named WAC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career. The junior helped limit both opponents to a single goal and 13 shots on frame through 180 minutes of play.
Morgan Witz has continued to prove that she is a force in the midfield, specifically on the offense. Witz has created several quality chances for the Lancers during the last two games and currently owns the lone goal of the season for CBU.
MATCH DAY INFORMATION
Opponents: Air Force | Colorado State
Date and Time: Thursday, August 22nd at 5 PM (PST) | Sunday, August 25th at 12 PM (PST)
Location: CBU Soccer Stadium (Riverside, CA)
Video: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
MATCH NOTES
Thursday evening will be another first this season for the Lancers, as CBU and the Air Force have never competed in Women's Soccer. Sunday afternoon's match will be more familiar for the squads as the Lancers will attempt to avenge their only regular season loss from the 2023 season against Colorado State. CBU fell to the Rams 1-0 at CBU Soccer Stadium last year in a close match and will be looking to take down Colorado State on their home turf this season.
THE FALCONS AT A GLANCE
Air Force is coming off a strong opening week after downing Northern Colorado 4-0 away to kick off their 2024 campaign. The four-goal win was the most since 2014 for the Falcons and proved to be a solid start to the season. Eleanor Musgrove was the name to know during the match after she scored a hat trick to begin her junior season and will one to keep an eye on during Thursday's game.
Thursday's match will be the squad's home opener and will be debuting nine new freshmen additions. Caeli Sherman returns for her junior season after having a phenomenal freshman season, but an injury had her benched during her sophomore campaign. Sherman led the Falcons during her first year with four goals and totaled three across seven matches last season before ending her season early. The Falcons were selected to finish ninth in Mountain West play this season.
THE RAMS AT A GLANCE
Colorado State has yet to earn a win this season after falling to Nebraska in a 3-2 heart-breaker and battling Idaho State to a scoreless draw. The Rams went down by a pair of goals to Nebraska in the first half but clawed their way back into the match after slotting a pair of goals home in a less than ten-minute span. However, the Cornhuskers ultimately took the game after lacing the game-winner not even a minute later after Colorado State tied the game.
While on the hunt for a 2024 victory, the squad also kicks off their home slate in their new soccer complex with CBU as the first of many guests this season. Three of the squad's returners were named to the Mountain West's Players to Watch list, including Mia Casey, Avery Vander Ven, and Liv Stutzman. Casey finished the 2023 season with five goals and will be a player to keep an eye on against the Lancers on Sunday. The Rams were selected to finish third this season in Mountain West Play, tied at two first place votes with Utah State.
Lancer soccer tickets are on sale now HERE for all games at CBU Soccer Stadium.
