Air Force Academy’s men’s water polo team secured three wins on Sunday at the Cadet Natatorium, completing a perfect 5-0 weekend as hosts of the 2025 Rare Air Invitational. The Falcons defeated Augustana 17-10, Whittier 24-17, and UC Merced 20-9. With these victories, Air Force improved its season record to 10-1 and extended its winning streak to six games.
This 10-1 start matches the program’s fastest run to ten wins in a season, equaling records set by the teams in 1977 and 2021.
In their opening game against Augustana, eleven different Falcons scored. Air Force led throughout, holding a 10-5 advantage at halftime and maintaining control until the end. Sophomore Brady Kopperud and junior Tom Leggett each tallied six points. Kopperud had four goals and two assists; Leggett recorded three goals and three assists. Leggett reached a milestone with his first goal of the game, becoming only the second player in program history to achieve 300 career goals.
Freshman Blake Fuchslin contributed a goal and two assists while junior Jack Richards added two goals and an assist. Senior Luca Smith made one save in goal during the first half, sophomore Jay Pyle had four saves in the third quarter, and freshman Bode Farren recorded one steal in the fourth.
Against Whittier College, Air Force jumped out to a commanding 10-1 lead after the first quarter but had to hold off a rally from the Poets in the third quarter. Thirteen Falcons found the net during this match. Leggett again led with five goals and eight points; Richards provided two goals and three assists for five points; senior Jake Dixon scored four goals; Vander Veen had three assists; freshmen Blake Fuschlin (one goal, two assists) and Max Ellis (two goals, one assist) also contributed offensively. Pyle played all four quarters in goal with seven saves.
In their final game versus UC Merced, Air Force scored at least twenty goals for the fifth time this season. The team led by three at halftime before outscoring UC Merced 6-0 in the third quarter and allowing only one goal in the fourth. Twelve players scored for Air Force; Leggett posted four goals and three assists; Richards (four goals, one assist) and Vander Veen (one goal, four assists) each finished with five points.
Smith stopped six shots across three quarters before Farren entered for the fourth quarter, allowing just one goal while making four saves.
Air Force is scheduled to play next at the Cal State Fullerton Titan Invitational on September 12–13 in Fullerton, California.
