ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's water polo team opened their 2026 season on Saturday hosting the McKendree Bearcats, where the fell 15-8.

The McKendree took the early lead, but Rhys Lomax evened the score at one apiece two minutes later. The Bearcats followed with two straight goals to gain the lead once again at 3-1. 10 seconds later, Cole Faux found the back of the net to get within one, but the visiting team put up two more to pull ahead at 5-2. With 4:18 on the clock, Malte Falstrom secured back-to-back goals to move the difference to one at 5-4. McKendree scored four additional times in the final two minutes of the opening period to lead 8-4 after eight minutes of play. 

In the second, the Bearcats scored three more to stretch the lead to 11-4. Ian Palmroos found the back of the net at 4:38 before Falstrom grabbed his third goal of the day to make a 11-6 game. McKendree secured two more in the final two minutes to create a 13-6 game entering the halftime break. 

In the second half, both teams traded goals with Palmroos finding the back of the net for Augustana to make a 14-7 game. The Bearcats scored once more before Falstrom closed out the game with a goal to conclude the matchup 15-8.

With the loss, Augie starts the season 0-1 and will be back in action on Sept. 16-17 for the Air Force Rare Air Invite.