CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Host/No. 17-ranked Harvard University men’s water polo team defeated the United States Air Force Academy, 18-17, in the nightcap on day two of the 2026 Bruno Classic hosted by the Crimson and Brown University.
Senior Jack Burghardt (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Havard-Westlake) added a hat-trick, while first-year Clay Carrington (Menlo Park, Calif./Sacred Heart Preparatory) cashed in a penalty shot opportunity versus the Falcons.
Harvard never trailed against Air Force. The game was tied 9-9 at halftime, when the Crimson brought in first-year goalie Jonas Ransford, before a 3-0 run provided some separation. Despite a late rally by the Falcons, and a few lengthy delays, Harvard held on for a one-goal win.
Leading 3-1, including two early goals from Dean Strauser (Jr., Calabasas, Calif./Harvard-Westlake), Harvard added on with a Burghardt goal late in the shot clock on a slick feed from Jacob Tsotadze (Sr., Menlo Park, Calif./Sacred Heart Preparatory).
On the first possession of the second quarter, Strauser blocked a shot in front of the net and buried a goal at the other end for a hat trick.
Air Force’s Tom Leggett scored his fourth of the game as the shot clock was ticking away from 10-meters out to tie the game at seven-all.
However, a 3-0 run to open the third quarter built a 12-9 lead for Harvard and forced an Air Force timeout.
In the final moments of the third quarter, Harvard pulled its goalie to go on a seven-on-six advantage and Lukas Peabody (Jr., San Diego, Calif./The Bishop’s School) found Burghardt for a goal from close range at the buzzer.
Strauser netted his fourth of the game, second on a penalty, to make it 18-15 prior to the Crimson hanging on down the stretch to elude the pursuing Falcons for a one-goal victory.
Information courtesy Harvard University Athletics Communications
