Belgrade, Serbia - August 13 - The USA Youth Men's National Team battled Italy to an 8-8 draw in their second match at the FINA Youth World Championship.
Ryder Dodd scored three goals to lead the USA offense and was named player of the match.
Riley Clansen recorded 12 saves in net while picking up two steals. Team USA closes out group play on Monday when they meet New Zealand at 3am et/12am pt. Live streaming is available via FINA by
clicking here. Live stats are available by
clicking here.
After Italy took an early 1-0 lead,
Peter Castillo tied the game for Team USA at 1-1 with 3:12 to play in the quarter. Italy then went on a three-goal run to take a 4-1 lead going to the second. The tables turned in the second quarter as Team USA delivered a three-goal run of their own to tie the match at 4-4 at intermission. Dodd,
Evan Ausmus and Ben Liechty all scored to level the score. The two teams traded goals to open the third quarter before Italy pushed ahead at 7-5 with 2:27 remaining. Dodd scored on a power play moments later but Italy answered with a goal for an 8-6 lead after three.
Team USA's defense took charge in the fourth quarter as they held Italy scoreless. Liechty opened the period with a goal to make it 8-7. Then with 4:33 left it was Will Schneider hitting on a power play to tie the game 8-8. From there, each side would have multiple opportunities to take the lead but neither team could find the cage as the match ended in an 8-8 draw.
Tea USA went 2/12 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties with Italy going 1/3 on power plays and 1/2 on penalties.
"We showed a lot of resiliency after trailing 4-1 and 8-6. But, there were a lot of opportunities to win this game, especially with more focus on 6-on-5," said USA Head Coach Ross Sinclair.
Scoring -
Stats
USA 8 (1, 3, 2, 2) R. Dodd 3, B. Liechty 2, P. Castillo 1, E. Ausmus 1, W. Schneider 1
ITA 8 (4, 0, 4, 0) M. Rocchino 2, R. De Simon 2, G. Rossi 1, A. Florena 1, L Provenziani 1, M. Bragantini 1
Saves - USA - R. Clansen 12 - ITA - R. Valle 3
6x5 - USA - 2/12 - ITA - 1/3
Penalties - USA - 1/1 - ITA - 1/2
