Air Force women’s soccer secured a place in the Mountain West Conference Tournament for the first time since 2017 with a 4-2 victory over San Jose State on Thursday evening at Spartan Soccer Complex. The Falcons improved their record to 7-6-3 overall and 5-2-1 in conference play, while San Jose State dropped to 1-12-3 overall and remains winless in conference matches.
Annika Jost led Air Force with three goals, marking the team’s first hat trick since 2021. She also contributed an assist. Zahra Friess added another goal for the Falcons. Defensively, Trishelle Lopez and Syndey Nelms combined for six saves during the match.
Head coach Laura Busby commented on the team’s performance: “I am so proud of this team and the confidence they are playing with at the moment. The first half of this season was not easy for us but they trusted the process and it paid off.”
The Falcons established control early in the game, scoring three goals in the first half. In the eighth minute, Lopez delivered a goal kick downfield to Jost, who scored with assists from Lauren Steinlage and AJ Heap. Ten minutes later, Jost converted a penalty kick to extend Air Force’s lead. At the 34-minute mark, Sammi Kinoshita assisted Jost’s third goal, securing her first career hat trick and Air Force’s first of the season. On defense, Lopez made key saves to keep San Jose State scoreless through halftime.
In the second half, Jost set up Friess for Air Force’s fourth goal in the 65th minute. San Jose State responded with two late goals in the final ten minutes of play, resulting in a final score of 4-2.
Busby stated: “Our goal is to be playing for a championship on November 8, so we still have work to do. I am excited to see how far this team can go!”
Air Force will return home to face Fresno State at Cadet Soccer Stadium on Sunday, October 26 at 11 a.m. MT. A senior day recognition ceremony will take place before kickoff.
