Air Force Academy

Oct. 17, 2009

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -

On the first day of its East Coast trip, the 15th-ranked Air Force water polo team split a pair of close contests against 13th-ranked Navy and Iona. The Falcons dropped a narrow 12-10 decision to the Midshipmen, while defeating the Gaels, 11-9.

In its first game of the weekend, Air Force (10-9) trailed against its service academy rival after one period of action, down 3-2 heading into the second quarter. The Midshipmen extended their advantage to three goals at the half, taking an 8-5 lead into the break. Although the Falcons outscored Navy after intermission, they could not overcome their early deficit, falling in the 12-10 decision.

Junior Bobby Geiger (Buellton, Calif.) was Air Force’s top scorer against the Mids with three goals, while classmate Kurt Lemmen (Jr., Orlando, Fla.) added two goals. Also scoring in the game for the Falcons were Cruz Smithson (Fr., Capistrano Beach, Calif.), Matt Versage (Jr., Merced, Calif.), Alex Churnside (Sr., Orange, Calif.), Kurt Wallin (Jr., Temecula, Calif.) and Matt Shields (Jr., Gilroy, Calif.).

Air Force’s game against Iona started out evenly, with the score tied at 3-3 after the first period. The Falcons took a one-goal lead at halftime, and extended their advantage to 9-6 at the end of the third quarter. While the Gaels outscored the Falcons, 3-2, in the final stanza, Air Force was able to secure the 11-9 victory for its 10th win of the season.

Senior captain Jack Hines (Riverside, Calif.) led Air Force’s offense against Iona, tallying three goals, while Churnside and Shields each registered two goals. Rounding out the scoring for the Falcons were Smithson, Geiger, Wallin and Brad Rajchel (Fr., Winter Park, Fla.) with one goal each.

No. 13 Navy 12, No. 15 Air Force 10

Air Force               3      2      2      3      10

Navy                      4      4      2      2      12

AF Scoring: Geiger 3, Lemmen 2, Smithson, Versage, Churnside, Wallin, Shields

Navy Scoring: N/A

No. 15 Air Force 11, Iona 9

Air Force               3      3      3      2      11

Iona                        3      2      1      3      9

AF Scoring: Hines 3, Churnside 2, Shields 2, Smithson, Geiger, Wallin, Rajchel

Iona Scoring: N/A