USA Men Take World Cup Bronze; Down Hungary Following Appeal

Courtesy: USA Water Polo

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.