The USA Men’s National Team opened play at the FINA World Cup with a 15-10 loss to Croatia. Alex Bowen (Santee, CA/Stanford/NYAC) scored three goals to lead the Team USA attack with McQuin Baron (North Tustin, CA/USC/NYAC) adding six saves in net. Team USA returns to action on Wednesday when they meet Serbia at 11:30am et/8:30am pt. All matches stream live and are available on-demand on FINA TV by visiting FINATV.LIVE (
The match was close early on with the two teams tied at 1-1 in the first and then again moments later at 2-2 thanks to a Bowen power play strike. Croatia would pull ahead with a 3-2 lead after the first. Croatia added four more goals in the second quarter and took a 7-4 lead into intermission. Early in the third quarter Luca Cupido (Santa Margherita, Italy/California/Olympic Club) powered his way to the cage for a goal to make it 7-5. Croatia would respond with three more goals in the quarter to lead 10-7 going to the fourth.
Trailing 12-8 in the fourth, Bowen again delivered with 3:45 remaining to make it 12-9 Croatia. Team USA would get no closer as Croatia took the 15-10 victory. Team USA went 5/11 on power plays and 0/1 on penalties while Croatia was 7/13 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties.
Scoring
USA 10 (2, 2, 3, 3) A. Bowen 3, D. Woodhead 2, M. Irving 2, L. Cupido 1, B. Stevenson 1, A. Obert 1
CRO 15 (3, 4, 3, 5)
Saves – USA – M. Baron 6
6×5 – USA – 5/11 – CRO – 7/13
Penalties – USA – 0/1 – CRO – 1/1
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