Air Force Academy

Oct. 18, 2009

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -

The 15th-ranked Air Force water polo team wrapped up its four-game trip to the East Coast on a high note, defeating George Washington and Johns Hopkins Sunday at Scott Natatorium. The Falcons rolled to a 14-5 victory over the Colonials before coming out on top in a close 11-10 decision against the Blue Jays. With the wins, Air Force moves to 12-9 on the season.

Air Force dominated its first game of the day, keeping George Washington scoreless in the opening period and taking an 8-1 advantage at the half. While the game was more even after the break, the Falcons still dominated in the nine-goal victory.

Freshman Cruz Smithson (Capistrano Beach, Calif.) was the leading Air Force scorer against George Washington, tallying three goals, while Alex Churnside (Sr., Orange, Calif.), Taque Patino (So., Rockford, Mich.) and Matt Shields (Jr., Gilroy, Calif.) added two goals each. Also getting on the board for the Falcons were Bobby Geiger (Jr., Buellton, Calif.), Kurt Lemmen (Jr., Orlando, Fla.), Jack Hines (Sr., Riverside, Calif.), Andrew Strawbridge (Jr., San Jose, Calif.) and Kurt Wallin (Jr., Temecula, Calif.).

The Falcons' second game of the afternoon was much closer, decided by a single goal. While Air Force led, 2-1, after the first quarter, Johns Hopkins was able to tie the contest at 5-5 going into halftime. The teams entered the final stanza tied at 8-8, but the Falcons were able to win the fourth period and the game.

Geiger was the driving force for the Falcons' offense against the Blue Jays, scoring five of the team's 11 goals. Lemmen and Hines added two goals each for Air Force, while Smithson and Shields recorded the other scores.

No. 15 Air Force 14, George Washington 5

Air Force               3      5      4      2      14

GWU                      0      1      1      3      5

AF Scoring: Smithson 3, Churnside 2, Patino 2, Shields 2, Geiger, Lemmen, Hines, Strawbridge, Wallin

GWUScoring: N/A

No. 15 Air Force 11, Johns Hopkins 10

Air Force               2      3      3      3      11

JHU                        1      4      3      2      10

AF Scoring: Geiger 5, Lemmen 2, Hines 2, Smithson, Shields

JHU Scoring: N/A