Fukuoka, Japan - July 16 - The USA Men's National Team used a stellar second half to take control of their opening round match with Kazakhstan at the World Championships en route to an 18-5 win. Leading 9-5 at intermission, Team USA went on a 9-0 run in the second half to secure the victory.
Tyler Abramson led the offense with five goals while
Adrian Weinberg and
Drew Holland combined for nine saves in net. The United States returns to the pool on Wednesday when they meet Australia at 7:30am et/4:30am pt. Live streaming coverage is available via
Peacock TV (subscription required). Live stats are available via Total Water Polo by
clicking here.
The first quarter saw Team USA take control early as five different scorers found the cage, capped by a tally from
Ryder Dodd. Kazakhstan scored late in the period and the United States held a 5-1 lead going to the second. After
Max Irving scored to open the second period, giving Team USA a 6-1 cushion, Kazakhstan started to chip away. They would close within three with 3:36 remaining in the half but get no closer as the United States took a four goal edge into the break.
The second half was a completely different story. The United States defense went into lockdown mode, blanking Kazakhstan in the third while
Ben Hallock scored twice. Team USA repeated the feat in the fourth quarter, holding Kazakhstan scoreless while Abramson pumped in two more goals and Hooper added his third to secure the victory. Team USA went 9/13 on power plays and 1/2 on penalties while Kazakhstan went 4/6 on power plays and 1/2 on penalties.
Scoring -
Stats
USA 18 (5, 4, 4, 5) T. Abramson 5, J. Hooper 3, R. Dodd 2, B. Hallock 2, H. Daube 2, M. Irving 1, C. Dodd 1, L. Cupido 1, D. Woodhead 1
KAZ 5 (1, 4, 0, 0) D. Markovich 3, M. Shakenov 1, A. Shmider 1
Saves - USA - A. Weinberg 5, D. Holland 4 KAZ - T. Balfanbayev 8
6x5 - USA - 9/13 - KAZ 4/6
Penalties - USA - 1/2 - KAZ 1/2
