SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The No. 14 Bronco men's water polo team traveled to Colorado Springs, Colo. to take on the No. 13 Air Force Falcons this past weekend. This close conference matchup tested the Broncos, and the Falcons were able to outscore the Broncos early in the game, resulting in the 13-10 loss for the Broncos.

The teams battled for half of the first quarter up and down the pool, keeping each other scoreless. Graham McClone broke the silence with less than five minutes left, giving the Broncos the 1-0 lead. The Falcons quickly followed up with their first goal, and proceeded to go on a four goal unanswered run to finish out the first quarter 4-1.

Early in the second quarter, the Broncos were unable to convert their man-up opportunity. The Falcons continued their run, putting in four more to take an 8-1 lead. Mark Davis was able to put the final goal in to end the second 8-2 Falcons. 

The Broncos came out motivated after half time, going on their own three goal run with goals by Davis, Evan Chang and Will Grant. Off of a penalty shot, the Falcons put in a goal to end the Broncos run, 9-5 Falcons advantage. The Falcons increased their lead with two more goals. Davis threw in this third goal of the game in the final second to make it 11-6 going into the fourth.

McClone opened up the fourth with goal for the Broncos, with a follow up goal by Chang to make it 11-8, Falcons still with the advantage. Off of a man-up opportunity, Grant scored one more for the Broncos, but the Falcons held on to their lead to finish the game 13-10, earning their first conference win of the season. 

The Broncos will now bring it home to the Sullivan Aquatic Center for their annual Rodeo Tournament, starting on Fri., Oct. 24. For more information, please visit the tournament central page. Be sure to come out and support your Broncos!