COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO — California Baptist defeated Air Force 3-0 on Thursday evening in a dominant performance that showcased the Lancers' offensive prowess and defensive discipline. The victory extended California Baptist's winning streak to three consecutive matches while deepening Air Force's struggles, as the Falcons fell to 1-11-2 overall and extended their losing streak to seven games.
California Baptist's scoring came through Blake D'Agostino in the 4th minute and Haroun Conteh in the 19th minute, with Conteh's goal assisted by Tizian Marth. D'Agostino added a second goal at the 32nd minute to seal the comprehensive victory. The three-goal performance demonstrated California Baptist's clinical finishing and ability to capitalize on early opportunities against a struggling Air Force defense.
The first half belonged entirely to California Baptist, which controlled possession and created numerous scoring chances. D'Agostino's opening goal in the 4th minute set the tone immediately, putting the Lancers ahead before Air Force could establish any rhythm. The early breakthrough forced Air Force into a reactive posture for the remainder of the half. California Baptist continued applying pressure, with Felix Ezekwuka testing the Air Force goalkeeper with shots in the 7th and 24th minutes. Haroun Conteh added to the offensive onslaught with a shot in the 19th minute that found the back of the net, extending the lead to 2-0. By halftime, California Baptist had generated 22 shot attempts compared to Air Force's 9, with the Lancers recording 8 shots on goal to the Falcons' 3. The corner kick differential was equally lopsided, with California Baptist earning 10 corners to Air Force's 1, reflecting the home team's inability to clear the ball effectively under sustained pressure.
The second half saw California Baptist maintain its dominance despite multiple substitutions. Air Force made tactical adjustments at halftime, replacing Oliver Becker and Sean Odle, but these changes failed to stem the tide. California Baptist continued creating opportunities, with Nicholas Coope, Liam Jones, and Stavros Charalampous all testing the Air Force goalkeeper throughout the period. The Lancers' third goal came at the 32nd minute through D'Agostino's second strike, effectively ending any possibility of an Air Force comeback. Air Force's attacking efforts remained sporadic and ineffective, with Tucker Kern, Attila Toth, and Marcos Goni unable to generate meaningful scoring chances. The Falcons' best opportunities came late in the match, but shots from Maximilian Perez and Ben Brophy went wide or high. Tucker Kern received a yellow card in the 63rd minute for unsporting conduct, while Damian Arguello earned a caution for California Baptist in the 89th minute.
California Baptist's statistical dominance was comprehensive. The Lancers outshot Air Force 22-9 overall, with 8 shots on target compared to the Falcons' 3. California Baptist's goalkeeper made 3 saves while Air Force's keeper recorded 5 saves, reflecting the one-directional nature of play. The Lancers' 10 corner kicks to Air Force's 1 underscored their territorial advantage and ability to maintain pressure in the attacking third.
Blake D'Agostino emerged as California Baptist's standout performer with two goals, demonstrating clinical finishing and intelligent positioning. Haroun Conteh contributed a goal and created multiple dangerous opportunities, while Tizian Marth's assist showcased the Lancers' ability to construct attacking plays. For Air Force, the defensive unit struggled to contain California Baptist's movement and creativity, with the backline repeatedly exposed by the visitors' quick transitions and sustained pressure.
California Baptist's victory improved their record to 8-2-3, maintaining their position as a strong contender in their conference. The Lancers' three-game winning streak reflects their current form and offensive capability. Air Force's seventh consecutive loss represents a concerning trend for the program, with the Falcons managing just 1 win and 2 draws across 14 matches. The Falcons' next opportunity comes October 26 against Grand Canyon, while California Baptist faces Utah Tech on the same date.