Academy water polo falls thrice at So-Cal Tournament

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LOS ANGELES (AFPN) --  Despite some gutsy performances, the 18th-ranked Air Force Academy water polo team was unable to record a victory in the So-Cal Tournament, held by the University of Southern California.

The Air Force Falcons fell 12-1 in the first game to the USC Trojans on Sept. 18, before dropping a heartbreaker, 11-10, to No. 11 Loyola Marymount University in Game Two. In its final game of the weekend Sept. 19, Air Force dropped a close game, 9-7, to No. 15 University of the Pacific in the 13th-place match of the tournament.

The Falcons faced a stiff challenge in the opening game of the tournament, taking on second-ranked host USC. The 2003 national champions were set on defending their home-pool advantage, capturing a 12-1 victory. Eight different Trojans scored against Air Force, led by Juraj Zatovic with three goals.

Despite the final score, Air Force saw some outstanding play from its senior captain, Jared Jones, as he tallied 11 saves in-goal against USC. Meanwhile, Murphey Morgan continued to lead the Falcons’ offense, scoring the lone Air Force goal against the Trojans.

In Game Two, LMU built a 4-1 advantage in the first period, but a third-quarter surge by the Falcons tied the game at 8-8. However, LMU outscored Air Force 3-2 in the final stanza to hold off the Falcons, who had posted their highest single-game goal output of the season.

Jones recorded eight saves in just three periods of action. Goalkeeper Chris Nitzel added a save for the Falcons. Meanwhile, senior captain Josh Jewett put together his best offensive performance of the season, recording four goals to pace Air Force. Morgan added two goals, while Matt Herrera, Clark Condict, Matt LeBlanc and Eric Swenson pitched in a score each.

Leading the way for the Lions was Endre Rex-Kiss, who tallied five goals, giving him 29 through the first seven games of the season.

In the final game of the weekend, after taking a 4-3 advantage into halftime, Pacific was able to outscore Air Force, 5-4, in the second half to secure the 9-7 victory.

Leading the way for the Falcons was top scorer Morgan who notched a trio of goals. Justin Perkins added a pair of scores, his first of the season, while Justin Berry and Herrera chipped in a goal each. Jones capped off a solid weekend for the Falcons, recording seven saves.

The Tigers were led by Julian Gonzalez, Matt Turnbull and Adam Zobler, who each scored two goals, while Nate Bennett tallied seven saves.

The Falcons next play Oct. 1 when they travel to Pacific for a rematch with the Tigers.