USA Men Take Fifth Place At FINA Water Polo World League Super Final

NIS, Serbia, July 18. THE USA Men's National Team took home fifth place at the FINA World League Super Final with a 7-6 defeat over Spain. Behind two goals each from Tim Hutten (Seal Beach, CA/Newport WPF) and Jesse Smith (Coronado, CA/NYAC) the United States rallied from an early deficit to pull out the victory. Merrill Moses (Palos Verdes, CA/NYAC) went the distance in the cage stopping nine shots.

Spain got off to the hot start opening up a 3-1 lead after the first quarter. In the second period the United States defense buckled down pitching a shutout while adding two goals to tie the match at 3-3 going into halftime. The third quarter saw Team USA on the offensive tallying three goals in the third period to just one from Spain to grab a 6-4 lead going into the fourth quarter. In the final frame the Spanish looked to rally scoring two goals but the United States had one more tally up their sleeve to take the win 7-6.

The United States was 2/7 on power plays while holding Spain to 3/11. Other scores for the United States included Michael Sharf (Orinda, CA/Olympic Club), Tony Azevedo (Long Beach, CA/NYAC), and Ryan Bailey (Long Beach, CA/Newport WPF). Next up for Team USA is the FINA World Cup in Oradea, Romania. The United States will open action against China on July 27.

Classification (5-6 place)
Quarters: 1:3, 2:0, 3:1, 1:2
Referees: Golijan (SRB), Peris (CRO)
Extra Man:USA 8, Spain 11
Teams:
USA: Merrill MOSES, Peter VARELLAS, Michael SHARF 1, Jeff POWERS, Adam WRIGHT, Brian ALEXANDER, Shea BUCKNER, Tony AZEVEDO 1, Ryan BAILEY 1, Tim HUTTEN 2, 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 2, Ivan GALLEGO, Albert ESPANOL, Xavi VALLES, Filipe PERRONE, Blai MALLARACH 1, Xavi GARCIA 2, Dani LOPEZ
Head Coach: Rafel AGUILAR

Saves – USA – M. Moses 9
6×5 – USA 2/7 – ESP – 3/11

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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