USA Men Stop Spain 7-3 To Open FINA Water Polo World League Super Final

NIS, Serbia, July 13. THE USA Men's Senior National Team got off to a great start at the FINA World League Super Final in Serbia with a 7-3 defeat of Spain to open play. Behind three goals from Tony Azevedo (Long Beach, CA/NYAC) and two tallies from Jesse Smith (Coronado, CA/NYAC) Team USA moves to 1-0 with China next on the schedule for Wednesday. Goalkeeper Merrill Moses (Palos Verdes, CA/NYAC) went the distance in net stopping 11 shots along with a penalty shot stop.

The United States were strong throughout opening up a 2-0 lead after the first quarter and led 4-2 at intermission. The third quarter was quiet on the offensive end for both sides as neither could find the cage. The United States offense returned in a major way in the fourth quarter as they put the game away adding on three more scores to just one from the Spaniards for a 7-3 win. Ryan Bailey (Long Beach, CA/Newport WPF) and Peter Varellas (Moraga, CA/Olympic Club) added scores as well for the red, white, and blue.

Power plays were key for Team USA as they went 5/8 while Spain was just 3/9. In addition the United States added two penalty shot scores going 2/3. "It was a good start to the trip, the guys played solid defense with some critical man down stops while we were also able to convert some man up chances," said USA Head Coach Terry Schroeder. "Merrill played a solid game in the cage."

Quarters: 2:0, 2:2, 0:0, 3:1

Referees: Golijanin (SRB), Gomez (ITA)

Teams:
USA: Merrill MOSES, Peter VARELLAS 1, Michael SHARF, Jeff POWERS, Adam WRIGHT, Brian ALEXANDER, Shea BUCKNER, Tony AZEVEDO 3, Ryan BAILEY 1, Tim HUTTEN, Jesse SMITH 2, James KRUMPHOLZ, Andy STEVENS.
Head Coach: Terry SCHROEDER
SPAIN: Inaki AGULIAR, Mario GARCIA, David MARTIN, Gonazalo LOPEZ, Guillermo MOLINA 1, Marc MINGUELL, Ivan GALLEGO, Albert ESPANOL, Xavi VALLES 1, Filipe PERRONE, Blai MALLARACH 1, Xavi GARCIA, Dani LOPEZ
Head Coach: Rafel AGUILAR

Saves – USA – M. Moses 11

6×5 – USA 5/8 – ESP – 3/9
Penalties – USA 2/3

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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