Volos, Greece - July 12 - The U.S. Men's Olympic Water Polo Team returned to the pool tonight in Volos with a 10-9 victory over Greece in an exhibition match. The match is part of pre-Olympic training trip for Team USA that will see them also visit Slovenia and Croatia.
Alex Bowen had three goals to pace the Team USA attack in this one with
Max Irving and
Johnny Hooper adding two goals apiece.
Drew Holland and
Adrian Weinberg split time in cage in the win. Team USA has one more tune-up match before Paris when they take on Croatia in Sibenik on July 19 before reporting to the Olympic village.
Greece took an early lead at 1-0 before Team USA ran off three straight goals, including two from Irving for a 3-1 lead early. Up 3-2 to start the second quarter, Team USA saw Greece quickly tie the match at 3-3. Bowen responded later in the period with a score to give the visitors a 4-3 edge at intermission. Greece made their move in the third quarter. After Team USA went up 7-4 behind a
Ryder Dodd goal at around the four minute mark, Greece went on a tear scoring four straight to snag an 8-7 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Halfway through the fourth quarter Greece built on their lead, going up 9-7 with 3:28 to play. Team USA then went on a run of their own. Bowen scored two straight to knot the match at 9-9 with a little over a minute to play.
Chase Dodd delivered the game-winner with 40 seconds left as Team USA picked up the 10-9 victory.
Scoring
USA 10 (3, 1, 3, 3) A. Bowen 3, M. Irving 2, J. Hooper 2, M. Vavic 1, R. Dodd 1, C. Dodd 1
GRE 9 (2, 1, 5, 1)
