Alexandroupoli, Greece - April 6 - The USA Men lost to Croatia, 16-7, today at the 2026 World Aquatics World Cup Division 1 Tournament. Nicolas Saveljic scored three goals to lead the way while goalkeepers Adrian Weinberg and Charlie Mills combined for six saves. Team USA will meet Italy tomorrow at 12:45pm et/9:45am pt with live streaming on World Aquatics and live statistics on Microplus Timing Services.
Croatia got off to a great start in this contest, burying the game's first four goals. Before the opening quarter ended, the United States was able to get on the scoreboard with a power play goal from Ben Liechty to set the score at 4-1 for Croatia after one.
The second period began with a pair of Croatian goals to push its lead to five before a few scoreless minutes of action. From there, Croatia found another pair of goals before Hannes Daube got Team USA its second on the day from six meters out. With ten seconds left in the half, Croatia earned a penalty and converted for a 9-2 advantage at the break.
The United States struck first in the second half when Ryder Dodd took advantage of a power play opportunity followed by Saveljic stepping up to knock down a penalty shot. Midway through the third quarter, Saveljic was the beneficiary of an extra man for Team USA and he scored his second goal of the day. After giving up three straight American scores, Croatia responded with two penalty shots and two extra man goals to close the quarter with a 13-5 lead.
Croatia continued its run with the first goal of the final frame before Ryder Dodd added his second score of the day and Saveljic notched his third. Croatia would coast to the finish line from there while adding two more goals to confirm a 16-7 final score.
Team USA went 4/14 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties while Croatia went 9/12 on power plays and 4/5 on penalties.
Scoring - Stats
USA 7 (1, 1, 3, 2) N. Saveljic 3, R. Dodd 2, H. Daube 1, B. Liechty 1
CRO 16 (4, 5, 4, 3) T. Brubnjak 3, L. Fatovic 3, R. Buric 2, Z. Butic 2, M. Zuvela 2, L. Bukic 1, M. Curkovic 1, K. Kharkov 1, V. Pavlic 1
Saves - USA - A. Weinberg 4, C. Mills 2 - CRO - M. Cubranic 11
6x5 - USA - 4/14 - CRO - 9/12
Penalties - USA - 1/1 - CRO - 4/5
