WEST POINT, N.Y. ? Chris Abalo posted scores of 586 in smallbore and 591 in air rifle to lead Army past Kentucky, 4647-4588, in each team?s season opener on Saturday.

?I think we did okay for the opener,? said coach Harry Mullins. ?I?ve said all along that this will be a progressive team that will get better as the season goes along. We didn?t quite shoot the numbers we wanted today, but we?re going to get there.

The Wildcats, who have been the national runner-up two of the past three seasons, were paced by freshman Rey Geyer?s 588 in air rifle and junior Vicki Goss? 579 in small bore. However, the team could not keep pace with the talented Black Knight squad.

?I think the freshmen did very well. Everyone shot a lot of 10s,? Mullins said. ?But we just made some mistakes that cost us. Overall, we had a good performance and it?s nothing to hang our head over.?

Army showed remarkable consistency as Abalo, John Fiddes and Paul Charbonneau as all registered air rifle scores of more than 580. The trio were all above 575 in small bore as well.

?Army is a very strong team that will contend for the NCAA championship this year,? Mullins added. ?I don?t look at this loss as a setback. We just have to work harder in training and get ready for Ohio State.?

Each school also allowed extra shooters to gain match experience. The Wildcats Chris Boggs fired a personal best 584 on air rifle.

Kentucky hosts the Buckeyes on Saturday, Oct. 16.