USA Men’s Water Polo Wins First Three Matches at FINA Intercontinental

The United States jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first quarter to take control of the game and then went ahead 9-1 at halftime. They built the lead to 15-3 after three quarters and cruised to the 18-6 win. Team USA went 5/5 on power plays and 2/2 on penalty shots while China went 0/5 on power plays and 1/1 on penalty shots. Alex Obert (Loomis, CA/Pacific/NYAC) and Marko Vavic (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA/Loyola HS/Trojan) added three goals each in the victory.

Scoring
USA 18 (5, 4, 6, 3) J. Hooper 6, A. Obert 3, M. Vavic 3, H. Daube 2, N. McConnell 1, N. Carniglia 1, A. Roelse 1, M. Irving 1
CHN 6 (0, 1, 2, 3)
Saves – USA – Z. Rhodes 12, A. Wolf 2
6×5 – USA – 5/5 – CHN – 0/5
Penalties – USA – 2/2 – CHN 1/1

The USA Water Polo Men’s National Team defeated Japan 10-8 in their first match at the FINA Intercontinental Tournament in Australia. The first official match for Team USA since the 2016 Olympic Games saw Johnny Hooper (Los Angeles, CA/California/LA Premier) lead the offense with four goals while Alex Wolf (Huntington Beach, CA/UCLA/Bruin) went the distance in net stopping 15 shots. Team USA returns to play on Wednesday in Australia when they meet Kazakhstan. With the time difference, the game will start at 11:50pm pt on Tuesday evening. Follow @WaterPoloAus and @WPQLD on Twitter for live event updates. Live streaming will be available only on the final day of competition (April 30) and a link will be shared as soon as it is available. For more on the Team USA roster and schedule, click here.

Team USA got off to a strong start leading 4-2 after the first quarter only to see Japan rally in the second forcing a 5-5 tie at intermission. The two teams were even after three quarters as well with the scored tied 8-8. In the fourth Team USA surged ahead holding Japan scoreless to pick up the victory 10-8. Olympian Alex Obert (Loomis, CA/Pacific/NYAC) added three goals in the win.

The United States went 3/6 on power plays and 1/1 on penalty shots while Japan was 2/7 on power plays and 1/2 on penalty shots.

Head Coach Dejan Udovicic offered his thoughts after the match. “It was a tough game for us, we came in with a totally new team, a young team. I need to be pleased with that result,” said Udovicic. “We took control early in the game, but after we led 5-2 we lost a little patience or threat to control the game. But we had a successful recovery, especially in the last quarter. For us the crucial point is to qualify (for the World League Super Final). But we are going to try and win every game. We have that state of mind, especially with the young guys, that we want to win,” he said.

Scoring
USA 10 (4, 1, 3, 2) J. Hooper 4, A. Obert 3, A. Molthen 1, A. Roelse 1, M. Irving 1
JPN 8 ( 2, 3, 3, 0)
Saves – USA – A. Wolf 15
6×5 – USA – 3/6 – JPN – 2/7
Penalties – USA – 1/1 – JPN – 1/2