Men’s Senior National Team Downs Canada To Open Fisher Cup in Water Polo

LAKE FOREST, California, May 23. THE first Donald G. Fisher Cup got underway with a bang at El Toro High School as USA Blue topped Team Canada 9-7 in the nightcap of the first day of action. Comprised of six members of the Men's Olympic Water Polo Team, USA Blue downed our neighbors to the north behind two goals apiece from Jesse Smith and Matt Sagehorn. In the opener USA White and USA Red fought to an 8-8 draw.

As for the last game of the night Canada struck early opening up a 2-1 lead on USA Blue, and then pushed their advantage to 4-3 at halftime. In the third quarter Team USA struck even behind a goal from Adam Wright at the 6:32 mark. They then took their first lead of the evening when John Mann found the net with 4:11 to go in the period. USA jumped out to a 7-4 lead as Sagehorn connected on his second goal of the evening, but Canada wouldn't go quietly on this night.

The Canadians roared back to within a goal at 7-6 with under a minute remaining in the third period. Into the fourth Team USA was able to rebuild a three goal advantage at 9-6 behind a Thomas Hopkins goal with 5:16 remaining. Canada would score again later in the period but it would not factor in the difference. Merrill Moses went the distance in net for the United States stopping eight shots. USA Blue is back in action tomorrow evening against USA White at 7:15pm.

In the evening's first contest, USA White and USA Red met in a battle of the younger generation of the Men's National Team. USA Red appeared to have this contest under control throughout the first half leading 3-1 after the first period and 5-3 at intermission. USA White would rally in the second half drawing to within 6-5 on a score from Zac Monsees at the 1:01 mark in the period. Some three minutes into the fourth stanza the game was tied thanks to a tally by Greg Enloe.

The two sides traded scores until Thomas Hale connected for USA Red with 1:14 to go, putting his squad up 8-7. This seemed to be the gamebreaker but USA White used their final possession wisely finding Shea Buckner for a score with just 23 ticks left on the clock to knot the game at 8-8. This is where the contest would end as Monsees led USA White with two goals, while USA Red used a balanced attack offensively with JP MacDonnell and Brandon Johnson scoring two goals each. Andy Stevens did the job in net for USA Red turning aside 13 shots. His counterpart Jimmie Sandman put five shots to sleep in four quarters of work.

These two squads will be back in action again tomorrow night with USA White taking on USA blue at 7:15 and USA Red battling Canada at 8:30pm. In addition the 16 team open tournament portion of the Fisher Cup begins tomorrow at 8am at both El Toro High School and Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Tickets will be available at the gate at both venues.

USA White 8 (1, 2, 2, 3) Z. Monsees 2, B. Hohl 1, J. Delgadillo 1, J. Greenwood 1, G. Enloe 1, M. Sample 1, S. Buckner 1
USA Red 8 (3, 2, 1, 2) J. MacDonnell 2, B. Johnson 2, T. Hale 1, C Bitter 1, J. Schwimmer 1, C. Mello 1
Saves – USA White – J. Sandman – 5 — USA Red – A. Stevens 13

USA Blue 9 (1, 2, 4, 2) J. Smith 2, M. Sagehorn 2, J. Mann 1, A. Wright 1, K. Witt 1, J. Krumpholz 1, T. Hopkins 1
Canada 7 (2, 2, 2, 1) T. Marks 3, N. Bicari 2, K. Graham 2
Saves – USA Blue – M. Moses 8 — Canada – R. Randall 4

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.

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