Dubrovnik, Croatia - September 1 - Team USA was back in action today at the inaugural World Aquatics Water Polo 4x4 Open Championships in Dubrovnik. The USA Men earned their first-ever win in 4x4 water polo against Lithuania, 3-0, before the USA Women defeated Turkey, 3-0, later in the day. Marko Vavic and Max Irving each scored three for the men's team and Chris Whitelegge was fantastic in the cage. Ryann Neushul was unstoppable for the women with six goals while Lauren Steele was fantastic in net with nine saves. The USA Women will face Greece tomorrow at 8:10am pt before the USA Men cap off the day against the host nation Croatia at 11:30am pt. The matches will stream live on World Aquatics YouTube channel with live stats available from Microplus Timing Services.
In the men's bracket, Lithuania scored quickly to gain an early lead but Max Irving was there to respond. The Lithuanians scored again before Carson Kranz knotted things and JP Ohl put the Americans in front. Irving scored again on a counterattack to extend the edge and Whitelegge snuffed out a penalty shot attempt to claim the first set 4-2 and a 1-0 advantage.
Lithuania scored first in the second set but Irving answered and Jake Howerton gave the United States a brief lead before a Lithuanian response. Howerton and Stefan Vavic scored late to earn the second set 4-2 for a 2-0 lead.
Marko Vavic began the third set with a pair of goals for the Americans and Ohl added on midway through. Lithuania got one back before Irving sent a beautiful pass to Marko Vavic for his third set hat trick. Kranz scored the final goal on a backhand for a 5-1 third set win and 3-0 victory overall.
Team USA went 4/4 on power plays and 0/1 on penalties while Lithuania went 1/1 on power plays and 0/2 on penalties.
Scoring - Stats
USA 3 (4, 4, 5) M. Irving 3, M. Vavic 3, J. Howerton 2, J. Ohl 2, C. Kranz 2, S. Vavic 1
LTU 0 (2, 2, 1) J. Bakulo 2, A. Jonkus 2, P. Vadvilavicius 1
Saves - USA - C. Whitelegge X - LTU - S. Motuzas X
6x5 - USA - 4/4 - LTU - 1/1
Penalties - USA - 0/1 - LTU - 0/2
On the women's side, Jenna Flynn began the scoring and Jordan Raney followed that up with a powerful strike through the goalkeeper's arms. Then, the United States leaned on the counterattack with Jenna Flynn and Ryann Neushul each scoring in one-on-one situations. Another from Neushul and a penalty shot conversion by Jewel Roemer gave the Americans a 6-0 first set triumph and a 1-0 edge.
Turkey was able to score its first goal to start the second set before a Roemer skip shot equalized. Neushul put Team USA in front with three consecutive goals and then Rachel Fattal added on for a 5-1 set win and a 2-0 lead.
Raney got in front of the defense to score first in the third and then Neushul scored again during her big day. Roemer and Fattal (2) each added to the tally for a 5-0 set victory and dominant 3-0 win again.
Team USA went 4/5 on power plays and 0/1 on penalties while Turkey went 1/2 on power plays and no penalties attempted.
Scoring - Stats
USA 3 (6, 5, 5) R. Neushul 6, R. Fattal 3, J. Roemer 3, J. Flynn 2, J. Raney 2
TUR 0 (0, 1, 0) K. Kus 1
Saves - USA - L. Steele 9 - TUR - E. Aydinlik 7
6x5 - USA - 4/5 - TUR - 1/2
Penalties - USA - 0/1 - TUR - 0/0
