LEXINGTON ? The Kentucky rifle team posted an impressive score, but it wasn?t enough to overcome defending national champion Army in a 4666-4638 loss on Saturday in the season opener for both teams at Buell Armory.

?I?m pleased with the way we shot today,? said Kentucky head coach Harry Mullins. ?Unfortunately, we didn?t come away with a victory, but we put up a good score that we can build on from here.?

The Wildcats kept it close though the smallbore portion of the match. Freshman Jason Dardas fired a 593 out of a possible 600 to lead the way as UK trailed by just four going into air rifle. Dardas and fellow freshman Andrew Roland filled out half of the Wildcat line up in the contest.

?We threw two freshman in the fire up right away and they performed well,? Mullins said. ?They will only get better as the year goes on, so I like where we are right now.?

However, Army pulled away in air rifle to secure the victory. The Black Knights Christopher Abalo was the high scorer in the match with a 594 smallbore score and a 586 air rifle clip. Amy Sowash led Kentucky in air rifle with a 583.

The Wildcats return to action on Monday when they host Memphis in a Great America Rifle Conference match.