WESTWOOD, California, June 1. LESS than a week after snapping a ten-year losing streak to Hungary, the USA Men's National Team did the job once more, with a 9-5 defeat of the Hungarians in front of a capacity crowd at UCLA's Spieker Aquatics Center. Tony Azevedo (Long Beach, CA\/Stanford\/NYAC) scored three goals, John Mann (Newport Beach, CA\/California\/NYAC) added two scores, and Merrill Moses (Palos Verdes, CA\/Pepperdine\/NYAC) did the job in net, stopping 10 shots. <\/p>\n
Days after defeating the Hungarians 12-9 at Newport Harbor High School, the United States put together perhaps an even more complete effort in holding Hungary to just five goals. Azevedo got things started very early on with a power play strike just 48 seconds into the match for a 1-0 lead. Four minutes later Azevedo scored once more, again on a power play, for a 2-0 lead. With just :26 left in the period Brian Alexander (Santa Ana, CA\/UCSB\/Olympic Club) found the cage on a power play for a 3-0 lead after the first period.<\/p>\n
The second period saw both sides ratchet up their defense a notch as neither team found the cage until 2:31 left in the period. It was Hungary breaking through first to get their first goal of the game, drawing to 3-1. With 1:17 left in the period the United States drew consecutive exclusions to create a six-on-four scenario, Mann did the rest, beating the keeper in close for a 4-1 lead at intermission.<\/p>\n
Early in the third quarter the Hungarians cut the lead to two, with a power play goal, and it was 4-2 in favor of Team USA. Azevedo came back on the next Team USA possession shedding two defenders, including the goalie, to score putting the United States up 5-2. Hungary scored next on a power play with 2:34 left but that was immediately answered on a score inside by JW Krumpholz (Santa Ana, CA\/USC\/NYAC), playing his first match since suffering a concussion during the FINA World League Prelims earlier this month. Peter Varellas (Moraga, CA\/Stanford\/Olympic Club) would have the final word in the period, connecting for a score with just :35 left and Team USA built their lead to four with a 7-3 advantage going to the fourth.<\/p>\n
In the opening minute of the fourth period Team USA took their largest lead of the game, when Mann scored inside for an 8-3 lead. Hungary scored on their next possession to get within 8-4, but then the goals went quiet for the next four minutes. Hungary came back with a score with 2:47 left to close within three at 8-5. They would get no closer as with 2:03 left in the match, Peter Hudnut (Encino, CA\/Stanford\/NYAC) delivered the final blow to put the United States back in front 9-5, sealing the match.<\/p>\n
The United States went 5\/8 on power plays while Hungary was 2\/8. Team USA did not attempt a penalty and Hungary went 1\/1 on their penalty attempts. Team USA will close out their pre-Olympic domestic competition schedule with a match against Croatia on Friday evening at Rose Bowl Aquatics at 6:30pm pst. The match is sold out but will be available via webcast at UniversalSports.com by clicking here.<\/p>\n
Scoring
\nUSA 9 (3, 1, 3, 2) T. Azevedo 3, J. Mann 2, B. Alexander 1, P. Varellas 1, J. Krumpholz 1, P. Hudnut 1
\nHUN 5 (0, 1, 2, 2) Madarash 2, De. Varga 1, G. Kiss 1, Da. Varga 1
\nSaves – USA – M. Moses 10 – HUN – V. Nagy 3, Bakas 5
\n6×5 – USA 5\/8 – HUN 2\/8
\nPenalties – USA 0\/0 – HUN 1\/1<\/p>\n
The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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