Air Force water polo: Falcons upset No. 12 UC Davis, 12-11

After getting drubbed 22-4 to Cal earlier on Saturday, the Air Force Falcons came up big with their biggest win of the season. They defeated WWPA conference mate and No. 12 ranked UC Davis by a score of 12-11. This is a huge win as it puts Air Force in the running for the WWPA title, and even possibly a shot at the NCAA tournament.

The teams were even after one quarter with each squad putting putting up three goals, but the second quarter is when the Falcons made their move. They outscored UC Davis 3-1 and dook a 6-4 halftime lead.

In the second half, UC Davis made their own run by scoring five goals in the third period to tie the game at nine heading into the fourth. Both teams defenses stepped up some, but Air Force was able to get the final say as they were able to win 12-11.

Air Force was led by Josh Stedman who had a game hight four goals to pace the Falcons against UC Davis, while Cruz Smithson tallied three goals and then Max Reilly added two more.

Next up for Air Force is No. 9 ranked Long Beach St. 49ers at 11:40 a.m. MT, and then they will play either 10th-ranked Loyola Marymount or 11th-ranked UC San Diego. Had Air Force loss they would be playing St. Francis, and a team Air Force would easily get past. Now they have a real challenge during the final two games.

No. 14 Air Force 12, No. 12 UC Davis 11
Air Force - 3 3 3 3 - 12
UCD - 3 1 5 2 - 11
AF Scoring: Stedman 4, Smithson 3, Reilly 2, Jackovich, J. Johnson, Hamilton
UCD Scoring: Rodgers 3, Richardson 2, Allen 2, Vowell, McCarthy, Dickey, Dooley