USA Men’s Senior National Water Polo Team Downs World University Games Team 9-5 In Exhibition Match

NEWPORT BEACH, California, June 1. THE Men's Senior National Team defeated the World University Games Team 9-5 in an exhibition match at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, California. Jeff Powers and Peter Varellas scored two goals apiece in the victory.

The Senior Team dubbed USA Blue got off to a strong start leading 4-0 after the first quarter. The second quarter contained a scoring drought as USA Blue scored the only goal of the match with just 18 seconds remaining as Ryan Bailey scored in front of the cage.

In the third, USA White got on the board on a five meter penalty scored by Thomas Hale. Following the USA White goal, USA Blue tacked on two more as Justin Johnson and Powers found the net and it was 7-1 headed to the fourth.

USA White started to get their offense in gear in the fourth as they score four goals to just two by USA Blue. Hale added two more scores in the period along with scores from Shea Buckner and JP MacDonnell.

Merrill Moses and Matthew Rapacz combined in cage for 11 saves for USA Blue while Andy Stevens and Steve MacKenzie joined forces for 14 saves for USA White.

The World University Games Team now prepares for the World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia, July 1-12. For the Men's Senior National Team, they prepare for a three game set with Serbia in Northern California. The games will take place June 4 at the University of the Pacific, June 6 at University of California-Berkeley, and June 7 at Stanford University. Tickets for all matches are available for purchase at usawaterpolo.org

Scoring:

USA Blue: 9 (4, 1, 2, 2) P. Varellas 2, J. Powers 2, T. Hopkins 1, R. Bailey 1, J. Smith 1, J. Delgadillo 1, J. Johnson 1
USA White: 5 (0, 0, 1, 4) T. Hale 3, S. Buckner 1, J. MacDonnell

Saves: USA Blue – M. Moses 10, M. Rapacz 1 — USA White – A. Stevens 7, S. MacKenzie 7

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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