Air Force Sweeps Sunday Games To Finish 5-1 At Rare Air Challenge

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Air Force men's water polo won both of its games in day three action as the host of the 2025 Rare Air Challenge on Sunday at the Cadet Natatorium. The Falcons defeated Biola 18-13 and Ottawa Arizona 18-10 to complete a 5-1 weekend.

In the opener against Biola, the Falcons rallied back from an 8-3 deficit to pull out the win. Air Force found itself down 5-3 after the first quarter and 8-3 after the Eagles scored the first three of the second quarter.

After a goalkeeper substitution, the Falcons went on to out-score Biola 15-5 the rest of the way. Air Force tied the game up at 8-8 by scoring the next five goals. Biola responded with goals to go back up 10-8.

Air Force took its first lead at 12-11, when Jackson Carter scored from beyond the half distance line with two seconds left in the third quarter. Air Force outscored the Eagles 6-2 in the fourth quarter to pull away.

Junior Tom Leggett led the Falcons with five goals. Sophomore Brady Kopperud followed with four goals. Senior Jake Dixon added two goals and junior Jonah Vander Veen had two assists.

Jay Pyle notched six saves in the relief win in goal. Pyle logged 29 minutes, allowing just five goals. Luca Smith started in the net, allowing eight goals and posting three saves.

In the second game, Air Force got a chance to play its freshmen and sophomores for extended minutes, in the 18-10 win over OUAZ.

Eleven different Falcons scored goals with senior Jackson Carter leading the way with four goals. Vander Veen added three points on two goals and an assist. Nicholas Cuenco and Benny Swanson had two scores. Shane Borunda had a goal and two assists. Jack Richards had two goals.

Smith picked up the win in goal, recording four saves. Freshman Bode Farren made his Div. I collegiate debut in relief of Smith, collecting a save.

Air Force returns to action next weekend, Sept. 6-7, hosting the Rare Air Invite.

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