ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University men's water polo team led early but couldn't close a late gap in a narrow 16-15 loss to Air Force. Senior Willis Allen celebrated Senior Day at Allred Pool with another nine goals, matching his career-high from Wednesday's overtime thriller.

Allen did most of his damage in the first half and led Chapman (13-10) to the early lead over the NCAA Division I No. 17-ranked Air Force Falcons. Chapman scored the first three goals of the match with sophomore Jeff O'Brien opening the scoring and Allen scoring the next two.

The Falcons got going in the first with a goal from Garrett Fisk before Allen put in a five meter shot to keep the Panthers up 4-1. Four consecutive goals from the Falcons gave AFA its first lead before Allen scored his fourth goal of the opening quarter to pull Chapman even at 5-5.

Allen scored three more times in the second quarter with juniors Sam Baker and Corey Plaster each adding a goal. However, Air Force was able to keep pace with five goals in the frame, including three man-up goals.

Senior Garrett Aanestad and Allen put the Panthers up two early in the third quarter but Air Force went on a run. A pair of Zack Kamai goals capped a four-goal run that gave Air Force the 14-12 lead heading into the final frame.

Chapman was able to pull within one late in the fourth but the Falcons ran out the clock to preserve the win. Sophomore Bennett Royce scored twice for the Panthers in the final frame.

Senior Stephen Neil had 19 blocks to help keep the Panthers in the match as well as two steals.

Chapman wraps up the regular season on the road tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Caltech. The Panthers currently sit in a three-way tie for second in the SCIAC standings.

by Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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