Air Force Downs McKendree and Cal State Fullerton In Day One Of Rare Air Invite

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Air Force men's water polo won both of its games in the opening day of action as the host of the 2025 Rare Air Invitational on Saturday at the Cadet Natatorium. The Falcons defeated McKendree 20-14 and Cal State Fullerton 14-12 to improve to 7-1 on the season.

In the opener, the Falcons scored five goals in every quarter to hold off McKendree. The Bearcats hung close for most of game, until the Falcons pulled away late.

Air Force led 5-4 after the first quarter of play and 10-8 at the half. The Falcons got some breathing room in the third-quarter with a 5-3 scoring advantage to go up 15-11. Air Force also out-scored McKendree 5-3 in the fourth.

Four Falcons recorded with hat tricks with five players recording at least three points each. Junior Tom Leggett scored six goals and had two assists for eight points. Sophomore Brady Kopperud netted six points with three goals and three assists. Juniors Jack Richards and Jonah Vander Veen had five points each with Richards scoring four goals and Vander Veen with a career-high five assists.

Sophomore Jay Pyle picked up the win in goal, with six saves. Senior Luca Smith played the second half, recording three saves.

In the nightcap, the Falcons held off Cal State Fullerton in a close game that stayed within three goals all game. Air Force pulled away in the second half, aided a big third quarter and several big defensive stops in the fourth.

The Falcons opened with two quick goals to lead 2-0 early. Fullerton responded with two goals to tie it up. The Falcons then tacked on two more goals to lead 4-2 after the first quarter of play. The Titans outscored the Falcons 4-2 in the second half to tie the match up 6-6 at the half.

Cal State Fullerton scored the first goal of the third quarter to go ahead 7-6. The Falcon defense hunkered down the rest of the quarter, allowing just one more goal in the third. The Falcons tied it up on a goal by Gavin Honken and Richards put the Falcons ahead for good with the go-ahead score. Air Force went on a 4-0 run to lead 10-7, before a goal by CSUF made it 10-8 Falcons after three quarters of play.

Air Force matched Fullerton with four goals in the fourth quarter to hold on to the win. Smith had a big game in goal for the Falcons, recording 11 saves, including several clutch stops late. Smith had three saves inside the last three minutes of the game, including a big stop on a penalty attempt by CSUF.

Leggett and Richards led the Falcons with five points each. Leggett scored four goals, with three coming in the fourth quarter. Richards added three goals and two assists. Vander Veen led the passing game with four assists. Sophomore Gavin Honken provided a scoring presence inside with two goals. Freshman Max Ellis also notched his first-career goal on a one-timer in front of the net.

Air Force returns to action in day two of the Rare Air Invite, hosting a triple-header, beginning at 8:30 am. The Falcons take on Augustana, Whittier and UC Merced.

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