Air Force Academy’s men’s water polo team secured two victories on the first day of the 2025 Rare Air Invitational, held Saturday at the Cadet Natatorium. The Falcons improved their season record to 7-1 after defeating McKendree University 20-14 and Cal State Fullerton 14-12.
In the opening match against McKendree, Air Force maintained a consistent offensive performance by scoring five goals in each quarter. The Bearcats kept pace for much of the game, but Air Force pulled ahead in the later stages. The Falcons led 5-4 after the first quarter and extended their lead to 10-8 by halftime. A third-quarter surge put them up 15-11, and they finished with another five-goal quarter.
Four players from Air Force recorded hat tricks, with five players earning at least three points each. Junior Tom Leggett led with six goals and two assists for eight points. Sophomore Brady Kopperud contributed three goals and three assists. Juniors Jack Richards and Jonah Vander Veen each tallied five points; Richards scored four goals while Vander Veen had a career-high five assists.
Sophomore Jay Pyle was credited with the win in goal, making six saves before senior Luca Smith took over in the second half and added three more saves.
In their second game of the day, Air Force faced Cal State Fullerton in a close contest that remained within three goals throughout. The Falcons started strong with an early 2-0 lead, but Fullerton quickly tied it up. After leading 4-2 at the end of the first quarter, Air Force saw its lead erased as Fullerton outscored them in the second period to tie it at halftime.
Cal State Fullerton briefly took a one-goal lead early in the third quarter before Air Force responded defensively and offensively. Gavin Honken tied the game for Air Force, followed by a go-ahead goal from Richards as part of a four-goal run that gave them a 10-7 advantage going into the final period.
Both teams scored four times in the fourth quarter, allowing Air Force to maintain its edge until time expired. Smith played a key role in goal during this match as well, making 11 saves—including three crucial stops in the last three minutes and blocking a penalty shot attempt by Cal State Fullerton.
Leggett and Richards were again top contributors with five points apiece; Leggett scored four goals—three coming during the final quarter—and Richards added three goals plus two assists. Vander Veen led with four assists while Honken scored twice inside. Freshman Max Ellis registered his first career goal on a one-timer near the net.
The Falcons are scheduled to continue play on Sunday with matches against Augustana, Whittier, and UC Merced as part of day two of the Rare Air Invitational.
