USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Behind three goals in the opening 13 minutes, Fresno State earned a much needed three points on Thursday evening, defeating Air Force 4-2 at the Cadet Soccer Stadium.
With early goals from Ciara Wilson and Adriana Maldonado, the Bulldogs got two more from Kaelyn Miller as they held a 4-0 advantage after 45 minutes. The win moved Fresno State into a four-way tie for sixth in the Mountain West standings with two matches to play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State's attack came out clicking from the opening whistle. In the fourth minute, Kaelyn Miller set up the match's opening goal. The junior slipped through the Falcons' defense and tried to get around goalkeeper Sydney Davis but was clipped down, setting up a penalty kick. Ciara Wilson went right as Davis went the opposite way.
Less than three minutes later, a corner for the Bulldogs was headed down but Air Force could only get it as far as Zoe Chung. She tapped it into Wilson who knocked it back to Adriana Maldonado. The senior ripped a shot through traffic and into the back of the net.
The goals kept coming as Miller found her goal in the 13th minute. After a shot by Wilson on the right side of the box was blocked, the ball fell into the path of Miller who lifted her attempt over Davis who came sliding out toward the junior.
Miller wasn't done there. In the 36th minute, the junior tacked on the Bulldogs' fourth goal of the half. A clever 1-2 from Maldonado and Laura Mas down the left side led to Maldonado slotting a ball across the face of goal into the path of Miller who struck it first time past Davis.
While outshot at the break, the Bulldogs' clinical finishing gave them a 4-0 lead after 45 minutes.
The Falcons cut their deficit in half just over 11 minutes into the second but the Bulldogs' defense locked in from that point.
SCORING SUMMARY
3:12 - FS - Ciara Wilson PK
5:55 - FS - Adriana Maldonado (Ciara Wilson)
12:54 - FS - Kaelyn Miller
35:09 - FS - Kaelyn Miller (Adriana Maldonado)
53:17 - AF - Samantha Sharp
56:32 - AF - Mia Otero
NOTES
Fresno State's four goals were its most in a game since Oct. 3, 2021 (5-0 vs. Wyoming).
Fresno State earned its second road win of the season.
Fresno State is 3-1-0 this season when leading at any point in a match.
Fresno State is 3-0-0 this season when scoring at least two goals.
Kaelyn Miller recorded her first career brace.
Miller tallied her sixth career game-winning goal.
Ciara Wilson scored her third goal of the season.
Wilson had three points in a match for the second time in her career.
Adriana Maldonado recorded her second goal and second assist of the season.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will head back to Fresno to face Colorado College on Sunday. Kickoff at Bulldog Soccer Stadium is slated for noon PT.