The USA Men’s National Team defeated Japan 11-10 to advance to the fifth place match at the FINA World Cup. Alex Bowen (Santee, CA/Stanford/NYAC) scored five goals in the victory with McQuin Baron (North Tustin, CA/USC/NYAC) making 15 saves in net. Team USA will meet Croatia on Sunday for fifth place at 5:30am et/2:30am pt. All matches stream live and are available on-demand on FINA TV by visiting FINATV.LIVE (
Luca Cupido (Santa Margherita, CA/California/Olympic Club) started the scoring off for a 1-0 lead early in the first. After Japan tied the match at 1-1, Johnny Hooper (Los Angeles, CA/California/LA Premier) scored two of the next three goals to give Team USA a 3-2 lead after the first quarter. After Bowen gave Team USA a 4-3 lead early in the second quarter, Japan went ahead 5-4 with 3:28 to play in the first half. Ben Hallock (Westlake Village, CA/Stanford/LA Premier) followed up with a goal moments later to tie the game at 5-5 at halftime.
The back and forth action continued in the third quarter with two more goals from Bowen to put Team USA ahead 8-7 with under two minutes to play. Japan tied the game not long after but Ben Stevenson (Reno, NV/Pacific/Alumni) tapped in a pass from Cupido on a back door drive to give Team USA a 9-8 lead going into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter Japan tied the game early but then Bowen took over. He scored the next two goals to give Team USA an 11-9 lead with 3:20 left in the match. Japan drew to within one goal moments later but would get no closer as Team USA hung on for the victory. Team USA went 3/7 on power plays and 1/3 on penalties while Japan was 2/7 on power plays and 3/3 on penalties.
Scoring
USA – 11 (3, 2, 4, 2) A. Bowen 5, L. Cupido 2, J. Hooper 2, B. Hallock 1, B. Stevenson 1
JPN – 10 (2, 3, 3, 2)
Saves – USA – M. Baron 15
6×5 – USA – 3/7 – JPN – 2/7
Penalties – USA – 1/3 – JPN 3/3
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