Monday, July 24, 2023

WATER POLO USA Men Bounce Back With 13-10 Win Over Canada; Advance To World Championships Quarterfinals


 

Fukuoka, Japan - July 23 - The USA Men's National Team got back in the win column in a pivotal crossover match at the World Aquatics World Championships, defeating Canada 13-10. Hannes Daube had a monster effort in the pool and was named player of the game, piling up seven goals in the win with Adrian Weinberg adding six saves. Team USA now advances to meet Hungary in the quarterfinal round on Tuesday at 5am et/2am pt. Live streaming coverage is available via Peacock TV (subscription required). Live stats are available via Total Water Polo by clicking here.

Team USA got off to a great start as Alex Bowen opened the scoring almost immediately for a 1-0 edge. Daube followed with the first two of his seven goals on the day for a 3-0 lead with 4:12 to play in the period. Canada broke through with their first goal moments later but Team USA held the two-goal advantage going to the second. After Luca Cupido opened the period with a score, Canada's offense came to life as they scored four of the next five goals to tie the match at 5-5 with 1:27 remaining. Daube delivered with a score not long after for a 6-5 lead at halftime.

The two sides traded goals to open the third and then things went quiet on the offensive end for a few minutes. Ryder Dodd reinstated the scoring with a smooth lob shot with 3:35 to go in the quarter. That score made it 8-6 in favor of Team USA which was their margin going to the fourth. After a Daube goal put Team USA up 10-6 with 5:45 to play Canada would battle back to within two at 10-8. They continued to chip away, closing within two goals again at 11-9 and 12-10 but could get no closer. Tommy Gruwell put the match to bed with a six-on-four goal with just seconds remaining to confirm the 13-10 victory.

Team USA went just 1/2 on power plays but 4/4 on penalties while Canada was 2/6 on power plays and 2/2 on penalties.

Scoring - Stats

USA 13 (3, 3, 2, 5) H. Daube 7, J. Hooper 2, R. Dodd 1, L. Cupido 1, A. Bowen 1, T. Gruwell 1

CAN 10 (1, 4, 1, 4) N. Constantin-Bicari 4, A. Gardijan 2, G. Patterson 1, M. Halajian 1, J. Cote 1, N. Gerakoudis 1

Saves - USA - A. Weinberg 6, CAN - B. McKnight 8

6x5 - USA - 1/2 - CAN - 2/6

Penalties - USA - 4/4 - CAN - 2/2

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