Air Force Splits First Two Games At Rare Air Challenge

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Air Force men's water polo (9-4) split a pair of games in day one action at the Rare Air Force Challenge, held at the USAFA Cadet Natatorium. The Falcons defeated Iona 13-10 before a 17-16 loss to #19 St. Francis (NY) in the nightcap.

In the opener against Iona, the Falcons scored four goals in each of the first three quarters to jump out 12-5. The Gaels rallied with a 5-3 advantage in the fourth to make it look much closer. The Falcons had had-tricks from Grant Snyder and Kaito Ham. Snyder also added three assists. Ian Christie also had two goals and two assists. AJ Kuypers had 13 saves in goal.

In the nightcap, the Falcons' third game in 24 hours, the team ran out of steam late. The two teams battled to a 10-10 tie late into the third quarter. St. Francis then went on a 7-3 run to jump ahead 17-13 with 1:48 to play. Air Force battled back with three quick scores to make it a one goal game, but ultimately ran out of time. Snyder and Christie paced the Falcons with four goals and four assists for eight points each. Kuypers had 14 saves in goal. Luca Smith also shared time in goal, recording three saves.

"We came out strong this morning against Iona," head coach Ryan Brown said. "Everyone contributed in that game. Against St. Francis, we knew it was going to be a battle. They're a talented team that gave us a great game again. I wished we had a little more energy in that game. We just ran out of time. Its hard to come back when we missed so many opportunities in that game."

Day two of the Air Force Challenge resumes tomorrow. The Falcons take on Redlands at noon and Westcliffe at 6 pm MT.

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