USA Men’s Water Polo Downs Argentina, 13-7, to Move to Pan American Games Semifinals

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, October 26. THE USA Water Polo Men's National Team battled back from an early deficit to hold off a physical Argentina team 13-7 on the final day of group play at the Scotiabank Aquatics Center. The victory gives Team USA the top spot in Group B with a 3-0 record and sends them to the semifinals against Cuba on Thursday at 3:30pm cst. Jeff Powers (San Luis Obispo, Calif./UC-Irvine/Newport WPF) led the offense with three goals and Merrill Moses (Palos Verdes, Calif./Pepperdine/NYAC) posted seven saves in the victory.

It was back and forth throughout the first half as the United States struck first with a Ryan Bailey (Long Beach, Calif./UC-Irvine/Newport WPF) goal only to see Argentina answer on the next possession. Argentina then went up 2-1 at the 4:50 mark in the quarter for the first deficit Team USA has faced in the tournament. The United States responded with consecutive goals to lead 3-2 after the first quarter. In the second quarter the teams exchanged goals tying the score twice before the United States surged ahead on power play goals from Powers and Peter Hudnut (Encino, Calif./Stanford/NYAC) to go up 6-4 at halftime.

The United States built an 8-4 lead with 3:11 to go in the third but Argentina scored two of the next three to draw within 9-6. A near donnybrook ensued with less than a minute remaining as physical play led to both teams meeting near mid pool. The result was a penalty called against Argentina which led to a five meter penalty shot for the United States and a four minute player advantage. The United States took full advantage going up 10-6 to close out the third and then scoring three power play goals to open the fourth putting the game on ice up 13-6. A late Argentina goal did not factor in the outcome. Team USA went 6/11 on power plays and 2/2 on penalty shots while Argentina was 3/7.

Scoring – Scoresheet
USA 13 (3, 3, 4, 3) J. Powers 3, R. Bailey 2, B. Alexander 2, J. Smith 2, T. Hutten 1. L Beaubien 1, P. Varellas 1, P. Hudnut 1
ARG 7 (2, 2, 2, 1)

Saves – USA – M. Moses 7
6×5 – USA 6/11 – ARG – 3/7
Penalties – USA 2/2 – ARG 0/0

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