Air Force holds off Cal Baptist, 10-9, in water polo Published Oct. 18, 2004 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- Despite a late rally by No. 18 California Baptist University, the 17th-ranked Air Force Academy water polo team was able to hang on for a 10-9 victory as Eric Swenson scored the winning goal in the final game of the Rocky Mountain Showdown here Oct. 17.Early on, it looked as if the Falcons (4-14) would easily win the second of three games against the Lancers this weekend, when Air Force shot to a 3-0 lead in the first period. It was the Falcon defense that was the key in the early going, as Air Force made several crucial stops to shut out Cal Baptist in the opening period.The Lancers (11-11) opened up the scoring in the second quarter with a goal by Leonardo Laterza at the 5:08 mark; however, the Falcons responded, outscoring Cal Baptist 3-2 in the period. One of the game’s most critical moments came with 1:26 remaining in the first half, as Cal Baptist’s Brandon Jung was awarded a penalty throw. Air Force goalkeeper Jared Jones made a clutch stop to preserve the Falcons’ four-point advantage going into the break.Air Force held on to its lead in the third quarter, as both teams traded goals throughout. With the Falcons up 9-5 to begin the final stanza, the Lancers began to battle for the win. Cal Baptist scored four straight goals to tie the game at 9-9, including a controversial goal that brought the Lancers within one point. With the game on the line, the Falcons were able to take advantage of a 6-on-5 opportunity in the last minute of regulation, as Chris Nary passed the ball into Swenson for the game win.Leading the scorers for the Falcons were Josh Jewett, Murphey Morgan and Clark Condict with two goals each, while Nary, Matt Herrera, Kyle Schafer and Swenson accounted for the other Air Force scores.The Falcons have a week off before the University of California-Davis tournament Oct. 30 and 31.