Friday, September 22
Fullerton, CA
1:30 pm MT
Air Force Academy
8
vs
10
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
Photo by: Gary DeVore, Cadet Wing Media
Air Force Completes Day One At Titan Invite
9/22/2023 10:06:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
Air Force men's water polo (7-8) dropped a pair of games Friday at the Titan Invitational in Fullerton, Calif. The Falcons fell to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 12-10 and Cal State Fullerton 14-13 in four overtimes.
The opening game against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps was close throughout. CMS led 3-2 after the first quarter but the Falcons responded with a 3-2 advantage in the second to make it a 5-5 tie at halftime. CMS re-took the lead with a 3-2 third quarter advantage and then extended its lead by a goal with a 2-1 fourth.
Freshman Tom Leggett led Air Force with five points on two goals and three assists. Classmate Jack Richards scored two goals and senior Ian Christie added a goal and two assists. Senior Cole Kopperud also had a goal and an assist. Sophomore Luca Smith had seven saves in goal.
In the night game against Cal State Fullerton, the Falcons were unable to hold on to a late lead, allowing the Titans to take the game in the fourth sudden-death overtime. Leading 12-11, Air Force allowed a CSUF goal with 10 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.
The teams played to a scoreless first overtime and then traded goals in the second. After a scoreless third OT, Fullerton got the golden goal Nico D'Angelo with 1:33 to play in the fourth.
The setback overshadowed a seven-point performance by Leggett, who tallied five goals and two assists. Richards scored three goals. Kaito Ham had a goal and assist and Kopperud added two assists. Junior Liam Markus had eight saves in goal for the Falcons.
Air Force continues play at the Titan Invite tomorrow, taking on Austin College at 9 am PT and Biola at 2:30 pm PT.
The opening game against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps was close throughout. CMS led 3-2 after the first quarter but the Falcons responded with a 3-2 advantage in the second to make it a 5-5 tie at halftime. CMS re-took the lead with a 3-2 third quarter advantage and then extended its lead by a goal with a 2-1 fourth.
Freshman Tom Leggett led Air Force with five points on two goals and three assists. Classmate Jack Richards scored two goals and senior Ian Christie added a goal and two assists. Senior Cole Kopperud also had a goal and an assist. Sophomore Luca Smith had seven saves in goal.
In the night game against Cal State Fullerton, the Falcons were unable to hold on to a late lead, allowing the Titans to take the game in the fourth sudden-death overtime. Leading 12-11, Air Force allowed a CSUF goal with 10 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.
The teams played to a scoreless first overtime and then traded goals in the second. After a scoreless third OT, Fullerton got the golden goal Nico D'Angelo with 1:33 to play in the fourth.
The setback overshadowed a seven-point performance by Leggett, who tallied five goals and two assists. Richards scored three goals. Kaito Ham had a goal and assist and Kopperud added two assists. Junior Liam Markus had eight saves in goal for the Falcons.
Air Force continues play at the Titan Invite tomorrow, taking on Austin College at 9 am PT and Biola at 2:30 pm PT.
Players Mentioned
AT
/ Men's Water Polo
UT
/ Men's Water Polo
UT
/ Men's Water Polo
G
/ Men's Water Polo
AT
/ Men's Water Polo
G
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