San Juan Capistrano, CA - June 12 - The USA Men defeated China today, 16-8, in the first of seven exhibition games this summer. Marko Vavic and Chase Dodd scored three goals each while goalkeepers Adrian Weinberg and Bernardo Herzer combined for 13 saves in net. Team USA will face Montenegro next on June 26 at Orange Coast College with a 7pm pt start time. Live streaming will be on Overnght with live stats accessable on 6-8 Sports.
There was a slow start offensively for both sides before Jack Larsen scored the opening goal of the game for Team USA. China would respond with two goals to take its only lead of the day. Nearing the end of the first quarter, Dodd sent a strong shot from long distance into the back of the net to set the score at 2-2 after one.
Dominic Brown put the United States back up one to begin the second period before Vavic and Gavin Conant pushed the lead to three. China got two back with consecutive goals before Tommy Kiesling scored in his senior national team debut on a power play. Another late goal from the Chinese side confirmed a 6-5 American edge at the break.
The United States began to open things up in the second half. First, there was more from Dodd and Vavic before Connor Ohl ripped a penalty shot into the back of the cage. Then, Vavic and Dodd scored two more times, sandwiched around a goal from China, for an 11-6 advantage after three quarters.
The fourth period began with a deft lob shot from Tom Leggett to double the margin. Next, Peter Castillo made an incredible catch and finish on an alley-oop pass from Vavic. China scored twice late in the game but not before Seth Bousfield picked up a goal in his senior national team debut along with scores from Leggett and Luke Nelson to claim a 16-8 win.
Team USA went 3/10 on power plays and 3/4 on penalties while China went 3/7 on power plays and 1/2 on penalties.
Scoring - Stats
USA 16 (2, 4, 5, 5) C. Dodd 3, M. Vavic 3, T. Leggett 2, S. Bousfield 1, D. Brown 1, P. Castillo 1, G. Conant 1, T. Kiesling 1, J. Larsen 1, L. Nelson 1, C. Ohl 1
CHN 8 (2, 3, 1, 2) Z. Chen 2, X. He 2, D. Li 1, N. Liang 1, D. Shen 1, B. Zhu 1
Saves - USA - B. Herzer 8, A. Weinberg 5 - CHN - H. Wu 12
6x5 - USA - 3/10 - CHN - 3/7
Penalties - USA - 3/4 - CHN - 1/2
