Falcons sweep first day of Rare Air Challenge

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Air Force swept at pair of games on the first day of the Rare Air Challenge, Saturday, Sept. 4, at the Academy's Cadet Natatorium. The Falcons defeated Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 15-7, and Mt. San Antonio College, 20-10
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In the first game, Grant Snyder, a second-team All-American last season, scored a career high nine goals to lead the Falcons to a 15-7 win over Claremont Mudd Scripps in the season opener for both teams. Three straight goals by Snyder midway through the first period gave the Falcons a 5-2 lead. CMS rallied for the next two as the Falcons held a 5-4 lead at the end of the first. Snyder scored two more in the second quarter as the Falcons held a 9-5 lead at the half. Goals by Ian Christie, Henry Yavitt and Larsen McCarroll gave the Falcons a 12-5 lead early in the third. Snyder added two more in the fourth and freshman Jacob Yi scored his first career goal late in the period. Senior Anthony Tolbert made 13 saves, the second most of his career.

In game two, Air Force built a quick 5-0 lead en route to a 20-10 over Mt. San Antonio in an exhibition contest. Twelve different Falcons scored in the game, including Sam De La Cruz with three goals. Corey Tanis, Sam Fuller, Henry Yavitt, Cole Kopperud, Ryan McLaughlin and Zach Rath all scored two goals in the game. Fuller and Yavitt each scored twice in the first quarter and De La Cruz scored twice in the second as the Falcons took control early in the game.

"Overall it was a really positive day," head coach Ryan Brown said. "The guys all played well today. We really wanted to focus on moving the ball and sharing it and we did that. Three goalies played today and they all played well. It was great to get a lot of players some time, especially our freshmen as they are really coming along."

Air Force returns to the pool on Sunday with a pair of games in the Rare Air Challenge. The Falcons face McKendree University at noon and Cal Lutheran at 3:30 p.m on Sunday, Sept. 5, at the Cadet Natatorium.

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