Huizhou, China – June 24 – The USA Men’s National Team advanced to the semifinals of the FINA World League Super Final following a 16-15 shootout victory over Australia. Tony Azevedo (Long Beach, CA/Stanford/NYAC) and Thomas Dunstan (New Canaan, CT/Mater Dei HS/Regency) scored two goals each in regulation to pace the offense. Merrill Moses (Palos Verdes, CA/Pepperdine/NYAC) and McQuin Baron (North Tustin, CA/USC/Regency) combined for 16 saves in net in the victory. Team USA now advances to take on Greece in the semifinals on Saturday at 7pm local time/4am pt. The match will stream live on beIN Sports 8 and air on delay on beIN Sports at 9am pt. Cable authentication is required for streaming, to access, click here.
Team USA opened up a 2-1 lead in the first quarter against Australia and expanded the lead to 5-3 at halftime. The two teams were even in the third quarter scoring just one goal each leaving the United States in the lead at 6-4 with just eight minutes left in regulation. The fourth quarter was a high scoring affair as Australia rallied, outscoring Team USA 4-2 to force an 8-8 tie sending the match into a shootout.
The shootout would remain level after the standard five rounds with each team going 4/5. Finally in the ninth round Team USA was able to preserve earning the 16-15 victory. Both teams struggled on the power play in regulation with Team USA going 2/9 on power plays with Australia going 4/13 with neither side attempting a penalty shot.
Scoring
USA 16 (2, 3, 1, 2) (4) (4) T. Azevedo 2, T. Dunstan 2, A. Bowen 1, L. Cupido 1, J. Mann 1, B. Bonanni 1
AUS 15 (1, 2, 1, 4) (4) (3)
Saves – USA – M. Baron – 8 – M. Moses – 4
6×5 – USA – 2/9 – AUS – 4/13
USA Water Polo contributed this report.