Team USA Men’s Water Polo Takes Fifth in World League

ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 6. AFTER a devastating shootout loss to Australia on Saturday, the U.S. Men’s National Team came back to defeat France, 11-4, which placed the team fifth overall. In the final match up, Jeff Powers and new National Team Member John Mann scored three goals a piece.

In the previous game, USA and Australia were forced into a shootout after ending regulation play tied at 10. With the third place game on the line, the shootout would make or break the U.S. team’s chances of placing in the top four in the FINA World League Series. U.S. missed its first and final five-meter, while Australia netted its first four shots to qualify for the third place match. Australia then lost to Greece to take fourth.

FINAL STANDINGS:
FRA 6th
USA 5th
AUS 4th
GRE 3rd
ESP 2nd
SCG 1st

GAME 4: USA vs. FRA, 11-4
BOX SCORES:
USA – NA
FRA – NA

SCORERS:
USA – Varellas 2, Powers 3, Wright 1, Smith 2, Mann 3
FRA – Frederic 2, Tibaut 1, Quent 1

SAVES:
USA – Kerr 3

PLAYER ADVANTAGE:
USA – 2 of 5
FRA – 0 of 4, 0 of 1 (penalty)

GAME 3: USA vs. AUS, 13-14
BOX SCORES:
USA – 2 2 4 2 3 – 13
AUS – 3 1 4 2 4 – 14

SCORERS:
USA – Bailey 2, Azevedo 3, Merlo 1, Beaubien 2, Smith 2

SAVES:
USA – Moses 6, 1 steal

PLAYER ADVANTAGE:
USA – 2 of 8, 2 of 2 (penalty)
AUS – 6 of 9

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