Courtesy: USA Water Polo
Herceg Novi, Montenegro – The Men’s Senior National Team has embarked on a training trip throughout Europe as they prepare for the Tokyo Olympics this summer. For their first match since February, they traveled to Montenegro, falling 18-17 in a thrilling shootout on Tuesday evening. Alex Bowen, Matt Farmer and Chancellor Ramirez powered Team USA’s offense with two goals each. Alex Wolf and Drew Holland split time in net recording three and one save respectively. Thomas Gruwell made his Senior National Team debut contributing a goal.
It was Montenegro who came out firing on all cylinders as they raced out to a 4-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. Montenegro continued to increase their lead in the second as they outscored Team USA 3-2 to take a 7-4 advantage at halftime. The USA Men didn’t give up as they kept pace with Montenegro early in the second half. Each team scored twice in the third quarter resulting in a 9-6 Montenegro lead at the end of the period. Sensing an opening, Team USA turned the tables in the final quarter as they outscored Montenegro 5-2 to tie the game at 11-11 and send it to a shootout.
In the shootout, each side was even after the opening round of five shooters. Montenegro took the match shortly after delivering seven shootout goals to six for Team USA.
Team USA went 3/9 on power plays and did not attempt a penalty shot while Montenegro was 6/10 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties.
USA 17 (2, 2, 2, 5) (6) A. Bowen 2, M. Farmer 2, C. Ramirez 2, J. Hooper 1, L. Cupido 1, B. Stevenson 1, D. Woodhead 1, T. Gruwell 1 (A. Bowen 2, J. Hooper 1, M. Vavic 1, L. Cupido 1, B. Stevenson 1)
6×5 – USA – 3/9 – MNE – 6/10
Penalties – USA 0/0 – MNE – 1/1
Saves – USA – A. Wolf – 3 – D. Holland – 1
