Courtesy: USA Water Polo
January 10 – USA 17 Australia 9
Irvine, CA – January 10 – The U.S. Men’s Senior National Team defeated Australia, 17-9, tonight to begin a two-game series between the two countries. Ryder Dodd led Team USA with five goals scored and Marko Vavic added three while Adrian Weinberg recorded 13 saves in net.
Team USA got off to a hot start and never looked back. Ryder Dodd and Ryan Ohl put up the first two goals of the game before an Australian answer from five meters, however, that would be all for the Aussies in the quarter. Dominic Brown, Vavic, and Dylan Woodhead scored three consecutive goals to push the American lead to 5-1 after one.
The United States continued its scoring on the opening possession of the second period when Vavic ripped a backhand into the back of the net. Ryder Dodd and Ben Liechty followed with a pair of goals to force an Australian timeout. The visitors were able to score out of the timeout off a set play, and put another goal away late in the period, but Chase Dodd and Ryder Dodd each connected in the final minute with Ryder beating the halftime buzzer for a 10-3 edge at the break.
The third quarter began with a pair of counter attack striked from Chase Dodd and Max Irving before the Aussies scored on a man advantage midway through the frame. Vavic and Bode Brinkema responded with two quick scores for Team USA prior to another Australian goal to stem the tide. The Americans earned an exclusion late and unselfish passing led to a wide open goal for Peter Castillo to make the score 15-5 with one quarter to play.
An opening fourth period goal from the visitors was answered by Ryder Dodd on the other end before three quick Aussie scores. The sudden offense was not enough to catch Team USA who got one more goal from Ryder Dodd at the end to claim a 17-9 victory on home soil.
Scoring – Stats
USA 17 (5, 5, 5, 2) R. Dodd 5, M. Vavic 3, C. Dodd 2, M. Irving 1, B. Brinkema 1, D. Brown 1, P. Castillo 1, B. Liechty 1, R. Ohl 1, D. Woodhead 1
AUS 9 (1, 2, 2, 4) M. Berehulak 4, J. Mercep 2, M. Byrnes 1, L. Pavillard 1, T. Putt 1
Saves – USA – A. Weinberg 13, C. Mills 3 – AUS – N. Porter 5
6×5 – USA – 5/11 – AUS – 3/10
Penalties – USA – 1/1 – AUS – 1/3
January 11 – Australia 13 USA 10
Walnut, CA – January 11 – The U.S. Men’s Senior National Team lost to Australia, 13-10, today to conclude a two-game series in Southern California. Ryder Dodd scored three for Team USA and Chase Dodd added two while Charlie Mills and Bernardo Herzer split time in cage en route to seven total saves.
Team USA struck first as Ryder Dodd and Ryan Ohl put the home team ahead early. Australia would level the score with its own pair of goals before Dash McFarland beat the first quarter buzzer to give the Americans a 3-2 lead.
The second period was the difference in this contest as the Aussies opened with three consecutive goals. Ryder Dodd responded on a man advantage for the United States but the visitors would not let up any more and produced another three straight scores to close the half up 8-4.
Australia continued its run to begin the third quarter before Chase Dodd had a word from five meters. Another Aussie goal gave them double digits prior to Dylan Woodhead finding the back of the net on a skip shot. Ben Liechty converted on a power play to pull Team USA within three but Australia had another answer. Late in the quarter, Peter Castillo scored on a nice redirect to set the score at 11-8 in favor of the visitors headed into the final frame.
The Australians scored to begin the fourth period but Ryder Dodd scored again to keep the Americans close. From there, the Aussies put home another to go up by four with just over two minutes remaining. Chase Dodd would score once more on a 7-on-6 opportunity late but it was not enough to catch up as Australia claimed the 13-10 victory.
Scoring – Stats
USA 10 (5, 5, 5, 2) R. Dodd 3, C. Dodd 2, P. Castillo 1, B. Liechty 1, D. McFarland 1, R. Ohl 1, D. Woodhead 1
AUS 13 (1, 2, 2, 4) M. Byrnes 4, L. Pavillard 3, M. Berehulak 2, J. Mercep 2, C. Negus 1, M. Wilson 1
Saves – USA – C. Mills 4, B. Herzer 3 – AUS – L. Barker 13, N. Porter 1
6×5 – USA – 4/14 – AUS – 4/9
Penalties – USA – 1/3 – AUS – 1/1
