(Colorado Springs, CO) Facing tough university competition, the Mt. SAC Men's Water Polo team came away with two wins and two losses in the Annual U.S. Air Force Academy Rare Air Challenge, Friday -Sunday, September 1-3.

The Mounties (6-2) defeated Army, 20-11, and host USAF, 19-14, but lost to Cal Lutheran, 17-12, and a heartbreaker to PEAK, 18-17.

Leading the way for the Mounties in the three-day tournament was utility Alex Lopez with 27 goals. The freshman also led with 11 steals. He also had nine assists, which was tied with sophomore utility Brandon Fabrega. Fabrega finished second overall with 18 goals and added eight steals. Sophomore Jude Solis led the team in assists with 11 and added nine steals.

Sophomore goalie Austin Johnson, who started and finished three of the four games, had 37 saves and seven steals.

Gm. No. 1 – Friday, Sept. 1

PEAK 18, Mt. SAC 17

The Mounties started out with a 7-3 first-period lead, highlighted by four goals in the period. Lopez had an incredible 10 goals on 11 shots in the game.

PEAK came back with four goals in the second period to trail, 9-7. With a 13-10 lead heading into the final period, PEAK scored eight goals to only four for the Mounties.

Fabrega was second in goals with four in the game.

Gm. No. 2 – Saturday Sept. 2

Mt. SAC 19, USAF 14

In the first of two games on Saturday, the Mounties built a 15-11 lead over the #19th-ranked Falcons after three periods and scored four of the last five goals in the final period for the win.

Fabrega led the way for Mt. SAC with eight goals, while Alex Lopez added five goals and a team-high four steals.

Gm. No. 3 – Saturday Sept. 2

Cal Lutheran 17, Mt. SAC 12

Alex Lopez led with three goals in the first period and seven in the game.  Cal Lu led at the half, 10-7, and held on for the five-point win.

Solis led with four steals in the game.

Gm. No. 4 – Sunday, Sept. 3

Mt. SAC 20, Army 11

With their biggest scoring output of the tourney, the Mounties were led by Alex Lopez and Fabrega with five and four goals, respectively. Fabrega led with four steals in the game.

The Mounties exploded with 10 of their 20 goals in the first period.

Alex Lopez led the opening period with three goals.

The Mounties, who had 10 players score in the game, scored 10 more goals in the last two periods to win going away.

The Mounties will debut their first home game in the new pool complex on Friday (Sept. 8) as they host Cal Tech. Game time is set for 4:00 pm.  After the game, they will play their annual alumni contest scheduled for 6:30 pm.

Follow Mt. SAC Men's Water Polo on Twitter @mtsacaquatics or Instagram /mtsacaquatics/

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.