Barcelona, Spain - December 19 - The U.S. Men's Senior National Team dropped the first of a two-game series to Spain, 16-9, today in Barcelona. Nicolas Saveljic led Team USA with four goals scored on the day. The Water Polo Christmas Cup will conclude with another matchup on Sunday morning at 6:30am et/3:30am pt and will be streamed live on Rfen Aquatics.
During the first defensive possession of the game, Adrian Weinberg made a nice save on a Spanish backhand attempt to get things started. Spain got on the board first midway through the opening period and doubled its advantage minutes later. The United States responded on its ensuing trip down the pool when Saveljic rang the register from long distance. Spain added another pair of goals down the stretch to close the period with a 4-1 lead.
Spain recorded the first goal of the second quarter on a counter attack strike before adding another from five meters on a penalty shot. The hosts continued pouring it on with another score before Ryan Ohl and Chase Dodd ended the run with back-to-back goals for the Americans. Spain found the back of the net once more with a deft lob shot to push its lead to 8-3 at the half.
In the third period, Spain picked up where it left off with an early goal. Saveljic went cross cage for his second goal of the contest before another Spanish score pushed the hosts to double digits on the day. The Spanish side scored two more times prior to another scoring strike from Saveljic as he tried to carry the United States back, leaving the score at 12-5 in favor of the hosts heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter began with a Spanish score before the Americans converted on a pair of power plays via Jake Ehrhardt and Ryder Dodd goals. Spain returned the favor on the other end with two more and then Ben Liechty found the back of the net with his first. The hosts scored once more before Saveljic notched his fourth goal of the game late to confirm the 16-9 final score for Spain.
Scoring - Stats
USA 9 (1, 2, 2, 4) N. Saveljic 4, C. Dodd 1, R. Dodd 1, J. Ehrhardt 1, B. Liechty 1, R. Ohl 1
ESP 16 (4, 4, 4, 4) A. Granados 4, U. Biel 2, S. Cabanas 2, B. Sanahuja 2, F. Valera 2, P. Daura 1, M. Larumbe 1, R. Tahull 1, M. Valls 1
