Tony Azevedo’s Goal With :41 Caps Comeback Win Over Montenegro, 7-6, in Men’s Water Polo

THOUSAND OAKS, California, June 27. A first quarter to forget turned into a fourth quarter to remember as the USA Men's National Team erased a three goal deficit en route to a 7-6 victory over Montenegro in front of jammed pool deck at California Lutheran University. Tony Azevedo's (Long Beach, CA/NYAC) goal with just 41 seconds remaining in the contest capped a fierce comeback to give the United States the win in the first of a three matches against Montenegro in Southern California.

Montenegro stormed out of the gates in the first quarter piling up three goals to post a 3-0 lead headed to the second. Two minutes into the second stanza the United States would get on the board when Tim Hutten (Seal Beach, CA/Newport WPF) gathered a Peter Varellas (Moraga, CA/Olympic Club) miss and beat the keeper for the first goal of the day and a 3-1 deficit. Montenegro answered back less than thirty seconds later with a tally to make it 4-1 and it seemed as if a long night were ahead.

Undaunted the United States began the process of chipping away. It started with a bar down score from Jesse Smith (Coronado, CA/NYAC) and was followed on a Jeff Powers (San Luis Obispo, CA/Newport WPF) goal on a dish from Azevedo for a 4-3 game midway through the quarter. With just 13 seconds remaining in the first half Montenegro got a shot through a gauntlet of USA defenders and into the cage to extend their lead back to two at 5-3 going into intermission.

Goals were at a premium in the third quarter with each side scoring just once. Hutten found Azevedo over five minutes into the period for the quarter's first goal and it was 5-4 in favor of Montenegro. The visitors would answer with a backhand shot to again stay ahead by two scores at 6-4 with playing moving to the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter belonged to the United States. Varellas got into the scoring column with 5:53 left in the period as the lefty lit the proverbial lamp to draw the United States within a goal at 6-5. Defense became key as well throughout the quarter evidenced by some crucial saves courtesy of Merrill Moses (Palos Verdes, CA/NYAC). Moses pulled down a lob shot that appeared destined to score and then a short time later Hutten delivered a goal to nearly complete the comeback tying the game at 6-6. Hutten's tally was an impressive individual effort; he stole the ball, drew an exclusion, and then cruised in for a one on none beating the defender with a bevy of fakes.

Back in the ballgame in a major way the United States was building momentum, Moses turned in another crucial block at the 2:34 mark and it set the stage for the games final moments. With :41 seconds left Azevedo moved in, delivered a fake and then dropped in the lob shot over the the goalkeeper for the difference maker much to the delight of the crowd. The tally put the United States up 7-6 and a last effort by Montenegro would not come to fruition as the USA swam away with the win.

The two teams meet next on July 2 at Newport Harbor High School at 5pm and then again on July 4 at the USA Water Polo National Training Center in Los Alamitos, CA at 6pm. That contest will also be televised on Versus on July 8 at 7pm est/4pm pst. Tickets for both games will be available at the door.

Scoring

USA 7 (0, 3, 1, 3) T. Azevedo 2, T. Hutten 2, P. Varellas 1, J. Smith 1, J. Powers 1
MNE 6 (3, 2, 1, 0)

Saves – USA – M. Moses – 12

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x