Zagreb, Croatia - August 7 - The USA Cadet Men defeated Russia 10-8 today in the quarterfinals at the World Aquatics U16 World Championships. Hunter Coleman was named Player of the Match with four goals scored while goalkeeper Alistair Sterrett was fantastic in the cage with 10 saves. Team USA advances into the semifinals against Spain tomorrow at 11:30am pt. The match will stream live on the World Aquatics YouTube channel with live statistics on Microplus Timing Services.
Russia came out aggressively and scored the first two goals of the game to take an early lead. Channing Wigo got the United States on the board off an assist from team captain Aden Shin before the Russians scored again for a 3-1 lead after one quarter.
Hunter Coleman scored first in the second period on a 6-on-4 power play and then Shin leveled on a counterattack. Liam Zarcu put the Americans in front briefly before Russia got one back to knot things 4-4 at the half.
The Russians struck first in the third quarter but Coleman responded with a penalty shot conversion as the two sides continued to go back and forth. Russia scored on a pair of power plays to regain its two-goal lead but a penalty foul led to another five meter conversion from Coleman. Late in the quarter, Russia scored again for an 8-6 edge after three.
Grayson Taylor opened the final frame with three straight goals: a powerful close range skip shot, a redirect finish off an assist from Shin, and a deft lob shot to take the lead. Nursing a one-goal lead with 0:42 seconds remaining, Coleman doubled the lead on an absolute rocket from beyond six meters to confirm the 10-8 victory.
Team USA went 4/9 on power plays and 2/2 on penalties while Russia went 5/11 on power plays with no penalties attempted.
Scoring - Stats
USA 10 (1, 3, 2, 4) H. Coleman 4, G. Taylor 3, A. Shin 1, C. Wigo 1, L. Zarcu 1
RUS 8 (3, 1, 4, 0) F. Akimov 2, G. Agarkov 2, A. Baranets 1, Z. Kikin 1, F. Krylov 1, N. Semenov 1
Saves - USA - A. Sterrett 10 - RUS - I. Kosarev 9
6x5 - USA - 4/9 - RUS - 5/11
Penalties - USA - 2/2 - RUS - 0/0
