Air Force Done In By #17 Navy In Triple Overtime

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - It was another thrilling chapter to the Air Force-Navy men's water polo series, with the game going into sudden-death triple overtime for the second straight time at the Academy. The ball was in favor of Navy this time, as the Midshipmen won in 19-18 to retain the Freedom Vase in the opening game for both teams at the 2024 Rare Air Challenge at the Cadet Natatorium.

Freshman Maddox Garrahy scored the golden goal on a power play 29 seconds into the third overtime to lift Navy to the win. The Midshipmen won for the second-straight time in the series, to hold on to the Freedom Vase.

The loss erased a valiant rally by the Falcons in the second overtime period. Trailing 18-16, the Falcons scored two goals with less than a minute to play to send it to the third OT. Colin Chase scored with 52 second left and Jack Richards tied it up with 10 seconds left. Navy had a chance to win it, but Luca Smith made a block as time expired to send the game into sudden death.

Senior Jacob Yi led Air Force with eight points, tallying four goals and four assists. Sophomore Tom Leggett had a game-high five goals and one assist for six points. Smith played a strong game in goal notching 13 saves on the night.

Garrahy led Navy with five goals. Reserve goalkeeper Jack Rodini came into the game in the second half, recording seven saves to pick up the win for the Midshipmen.

It was the second straight time the two teams played to triple overtime at the Academy, as the Falcons won in 3OT back in 2022.

Air Force returns to action tomorrow with a pair of games. The Falcons open against #14 Harvard at noon and then take on Biola at 4:30 pm MT.

Additional Friday score at Rare Air Challenge
Cal Lutheran 17, Biola 9

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