USA Men’s Water Polo Wins Gold, USA Women Take Silver At 2012 Pan Pacs

MELBOURNE, Australia, January 14. THE USA Men's Senior National Team opened 2012 with a strong start taking the Gold Medal at the 2012 Pan Pacs with a 11-10 overtime victory over Australia. The squad finishes the tourney without a loss. Meanwhile the USA Women's Senior National Team won the Silver Medal following a 7-4 loss to Australia in the final.

Tony Azevedo (Long Beach, CA/Stanford/NYAC) scored a game high six goals in what was a back and forth match throughout. Team USA and Australia were tied 2-2 after the first quarter and the United States went ahead 4-3 going into halftime. In the third quarter the two squads were even with two goals apiece and the United States remained in front by one at 6-5 going to the fourth. In the final period of regulation Australia was able to outscore the United States 3-2 to tie the match at 9-9 and force extra time.

In the first overtime period the United States scored the lone goal to hold a 10-9 lead. Australia would get a goal in the second overtime period but so would the United States and Team USA was able to take the one goal victory and the championship at 11-10. Layne Beaubien (Coronado, CA/Stanford/NYAC) added three goals in the win while Merrill Moses (Palos Verdes, CA/Pepperdine/NYAC) did the job in net playing all four quarters and overtime.

For the USA Women their offense struggled to get on track all match long in a low scoring affair. Team USA led 1-0 after the first quarter but the Aussies evened the match early in the second period. The two teams would trade goals throughout the period tying the game at 2-2 and 3-3, which was the score at halftime. The third quarter belonged to Australia as they went up 5-3 by the end of the period.

In the fourth period Australia took a 6-3 lead with 4:49 remaining and it wasn't until 2:19 left in the match that the United States got on the scoreboard again to make it 6-4. The rally for the red, white, and blue was halted from going any further when Australia put home another score with 1:24 left. Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/California/Tulatin Hills WP) led the scoring attack with two goals while Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC) posted 10 saves in the loss. Team USA went 1/4 on power plays and 1/1 on penalty shots while Australia was 4/8 on power plays and did not attempt a penalty shot.

"Australia showed that they are one of the top teams in the world," said Adam Krikorian, USA Head Coach. "We played well in the first half but just ran out of gas in the second half. All together, this was a great beginning to our preparation for the Games in London."

Scoring – Men – Scoresheet Not Available
USA 11 (2, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1) T. Azevedo 6, L. Beaubien 3, A. Wright 1, R. Bailey 1
AUS 10 (2, 1, 3, 3, 0, 1)

Scoring – Women – Scoresheet
USA 4 (1, 2, 0, 1) E. Windes 2, K. Craig 1, M. Steffens 1
AUS 7 (0, 3, 2, 2)

Saves – USA – B. Armstrong 10
6×5 – USA – 1/4 – AUS 4/8
Penalties – USA – 1/1 – AUS 0/0

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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