Photo by Catharyn Hayne
Los Angeles, CA - July 2 - In a game
that saw the final 4:24 replayed due to an appeal, Team USA earned the bronze
medal of the World Aquatics Men's Water Polo World Cup, besting Hungary 14-13.
Prior to the re-start, Hungary defeated Team USA in a penalty shootout 18-16.
Following the initial conclusion of the match, an appeal was registered
concerning possession in the fourth quarter.
At 4:24 during the fourth quarter of
the regulation period, Team USA drew an exclusion and a subsequent penalty
shot. Hungary blocked the penalty shot
and the player from the exclusion corner was waived in. The teams were then
"even", even though there was :07 left on the exclusion clock. USA
appealed; it was deemed a "correctable error" and determined to be
replayed from the spot of the error.
It was determined the match would be
replayed following the conclusion of the gold medal match, which Spain won over
Italy 10-4.
Max Irving restarted the game by
cashing in on the re-do of a penalty shot to even the score at 13. Team USA
goalie Adrian Weinberg had two momentous saves on the next Hungary possession
to preserve the tie.
The next two minutes were scoreless,
but USA's Ryder Dodd came away with a steal to set up an USA possession with 90
seconds remaining. After a power play
went for naught, USA regained the ball for Ben Hallock to break free at center
and power in the game-winner with :40 remaining.
Hungary then drew an exclusion to set
up a monumental power play opportunity with :20 remaining, but the shot was off
the mark. USA was able to run out the clock with :11 left and seal the victory.
A high-powered offensive first half saw the USA gain multiple two-goal leads, including
right out the gate. Johnny Hooper won the opening sprint and Hannes Daube
powered in the rock to start the scoring for Team USA. Two exclusions during
USA's second possession gave the squad a 6-on-4 opportunity and Irving made
good on the power play.
Irving was brilliant for Team USA,
scoring four goals and assisting four. Daube recorded a hat trick in the first
half, his third goal coming off on a cross-face catch-and-shoot in the second
period. Denes Varga led Hungary's scorers with three.
The victory marks the first bronze
medal for the USA Men in World Cup history. They previously won gold in 1991
and 1997 in addition to silver in 1979.
Scoring
USA 14 (6, 3, 1, 4) M. Irving 4, H.
Daube 3, J. Hooper 2, L. Cupido 2, Q. Woodhead 1, B. Hallock 1, A. Bowen 1
HUN 13 (5, 3, 4, 1) D. Vargas 3, S.
Jansiks 2, G. Zalanki 2, V. Vigvari 2, G. Fekete 2, T. Nemet 1, M. Vamos 1
Saves - USA - A. Weinberg 5, HUN - S.
Vogel 8
No comments:
Post a Comment