USAF ACADEMY, Colo. — The Wagner College men's water polo team completed a demanding four-game weekend at the Cadet Natatorium on September 26–27, competing against top-tier national competition at the Rare Air Challenge hosted by the U.S. Air Force Academy .
 
Game 1 Results: Wagner 10 – #14 California Santa Barbara 20
 
The Gauchos took advantage of a fast start, opening the match on a 5-0 run in the first quarter . Late in the opening frame junior Matan Friedenberg converted a strike and sophomore Aksel Gerhardstein found the back of the net to bring the Seahawks within 5-2.

Wagner settled into its rhythm in the second quarter, trading goals with UC Santa Barbara in a competitive 3-3 frame. Senior Gabe Johnson scored on an advantage play, freshman Noah Garrison also buried a shot, and Friedenberg converted a five-meter penalty shot to send the Green & White into halftime trailing 8-5.

However, the 14th-ranked Gauchos created separation coming out of the intermission with a 7-2 third-quarter run. Junior captain Smith Connors and Gerhardstein both struck for Wagner in the third period, but UC Santa Barbara carried a 15-7 lead into the final eight minutes.

The Seahawks continued to fight offensively in the fourth period. Sophomore Kelly Murphy opened the scoring for Wagner before Connors recorded his second goal of the afternoon. In the closing minutes, Friedenberg capped off a team-high performance with his third goal of the match to complete the hat trick. In goal, junior Filip Petrovic went the full 32 minutes, making 10 saves .

Goals: Friedenberg (3), Connors (2), Gerhardstein (2), Murphy, Johnson, Garrison
 
Game 2 Results: Wagner 14 – Augustana 11

The Vikings edged out a 3-1 advantage early in the opening quarter despite first-period strike from Wagner's sophomore Aksel Gerhardstein. The Seahawks found their offensive attack in the second frame, with a high-scoring battle as sophomore Landon Castillo recorded two goals alongside contributions from senior Vince Varga, sophomore Jonah Aguilera, and junior captain Smith Connors. After the back-and-forth the Seahawks headed into the halftime intermission with a 7-6 lead.

Coming out of the break, the Green & White completely took control of the match, locking down defensively Augustana with a 5-1 run in the third quarter. Junior Matan Friedenberg highlighted the breakout performance, netting two goals during the period, while Connors continued his attack with three goals to push Wagner ahead 11-8 heading into the final eight minutes.

The Seahawks maintained their composure in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach, as Friedenberg scored again and sophomore Kelly Murphy netting his first goal of the contest. Connors capped off a game-high four-goal night to seal the 14-11 victory.

Goals: Connors (4), Friedenberg (3), Castillo (2), Aguilera (2), Murphy, Gerhardstein, Varga

Game 3 Results: Wagner 14 – Biola 13 (2 OT)
 
The Seahawks jumped out to a fast start in the opening frame, taking a 4-3 lead behind early strikes from sophomore Jacob Troy, senior Vince Varga, and a pair of goals from junior captain Smith Connors . Biola responded in the second quarter, utilizing a 4-2 run to edge ahead 7-6 at the halftime intermission despite goals from sophomore Kelly Murphy and junior Matan Friedenberg.

The second half turned into a back-and-forth defensive battle. In the third period sophomore Aksel Gerhardstein, senior captain Patrick Ray and Connors converted key opportunities to put the Seahawks at a 9-9 draw heading into the fourth.

In a frantic final eight minutes of regulation, senior Gabe Johnson found the back of the net once and Connors delivered two crucial goals, including the equalizer with 1:40 remaining, to tie the match at 12-12 and force overtime.

Connors continued his offensive play in the first overtime period, striking with 25 seconds remaining to put Wagner ahead 13-12. Biola managed to force sudden death when they scored late in the second overtime frame, but the Seahawks remained calm.

Just 50 seconds into sudden death, Wagner earned an advantage opportunity, and freshman Harry Colley sealed the 14-13 victory.

Goals: Connors (6), Varga, Murphy, Friedenberg, Troy, Gerhardstein, Ray, Colley, Jonhson

Game 4 Results: Wagner 15 – Air Force 16
 
The two teams traded goals in the opening frame, finishing tied 3-3 after 8 minutes behind scores from junior captain Smith Connors, sophomore Nadav Carmon, and freshman Harry Colley . Air Force created separation in the second period, utilizing a 4-2 run to head into the halftime break holding a 7-5 advantage.

During the second half, the Green & White recorded goals from freshman Cooper Albano and sophomore Kelly Murphy. Wagner exploded for five goals in the third period, highlighted by two strikes from Carmon and conversions from sophomore Landon Castillo, Weston Swank, and Connors, but the Falcons matched every push to enter the final frame ahead 12-10.

The Seahawks fought throughout the fourth quarter. Senior captain Patrick Ray brought Wagner within one before freshman Noah Garrison buried the equalizer at the 5:59 mark to tie the game at 12-12. After Air Force answered back, Castillo answered with his third goal of the game to keep the Seahawks within striking distance. Air Force built a 16-14 cushion with under four minutes remaining, but Carmon completed his hat trick at 3:00 to bring Wagner back within one at 16-15. Wagner pushed until the final whistle, but the Falcons defense held on through the closing seconds to claim the victory.

Goals: Connors (3), Castillo (3), Carmon (3), Garrison, Ray, Swank, Albano, Colley, Murphy

Next Up:
Following their four-game road swing in Colorado, the Seahawks return to Staten Island to play in their 2026 home opener against local rival Iona on Friday, October 2. Sprint-off at the Spiro Sports Center is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.