LARAMIE, WYO. - Air Force (4-6-2) secured a crucial 1-0 road victory over Wyoming (6-4-4) in front of 847 fans at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex on Thursday afternoon. The Falcons' lone goal came in the 48th minute through Kendall Rippley, assisted by Annika Jost and Chase Borntreger.
In a match defined by defensive discipline, Rippley's strike proved decisive. The Air Force forward capitalized on a well-worked sequence, with Jost and Borntreger combining effectively to create the opportunity that ultimately separated the sides.
The first half saw Wyoming control much of the possession, generating multiple scoring opportunities. Alyssa Glover tested the Air Force defense with shots in the 4th and 10th minutes, while Jazi Barela posed a consistent threat with attempts in the 18th and 20th minutes. The Falcons responded through Kendall Rippley, who registered dangerous shots in both the 2nd and 15th minutes, though neither side could break through before halftime.
After Rippley's goal early in the second period, Wyoming mounted an aggressive response. Maddie Burr created several opportunities, including promising attempts in the 70th and 77th minutes. Lauren Westwood nearly equalized in the 74th minute, but her shot drifted wide. The Cowgirls' pressure intensified in the closing stages, with Erin Dahl forcing a save in the 89th minute, but Air Force's defense held firm.
The statistical battle highlighted Wyoming's offensive persistence, as they outshot Air Force 25-10 overall, though only managing 5 shots on target to Air Force's 3. The Cowgirls also held an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks. Rachel Hansen received the match's only yellow card in the 44th minute for unsporting behavior.
Several players stood out individually. Rippley led Air Force's attack with three shots, including the decisive goal. For Wyoming, Erin Dahl was particularly active with four attempts on goal, while Maddie Burr created consistent pressure with three shots. Both goalkeepers performed admirably, with Air Force's netminder recording five crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Tactically, Air Force executed a disciplined defensive strategy after taking the lead, effectively absorbing Wyoming's pressure while maintaining their shape. The Falcons' ability to limit clear scoring opportunities despite Wyoming's territorial advantage proved crucial to the final outcome.
The victory extends Air Force's recent positive form, following their 2-1 win over Utah State earlier in the month. For Wyoming, the loss interrupts a promising stretch that included a draw with UNLV and victory over Nevada in their previous two matches.
Looking ahead, both teams face quick turnarounds with conference matches on Sunday. Wyoming hosts Colorado College at 3:00 PM, while Air Force travels to face Colorado State in a 6:00 PM kickoff. The Falcons will aim to build on this momentum, while the Cowgirls seek to bounce back from a frustrating defeat where their offensive dominance went unrewarded.