Yugoslavia Defeats U.S. Water Polo Team, 5-4

The U.S. water polo team lost to Yugoslavia, 5-4, Saturday at Newport Harbor High School. It was the second game in a four-game series, the first ending in an 8-8 tie Wednesday at UC San Diego.

The loss marred another United States attempt to gain superiority over the 1984 Olympic gold-medal winner. The United States won the silver medal in ’84. The teams tied, 5-5, in the Olympic final with the Americans losing the gold by a goal differential.

James Bergeson, a former Newport Harbor High player, scored two goals Saturday. Jody Campbell and Terry Schroeder each scored one.

U.S. Coach Bill Barnett, who also coaches water polo at Newport Harbor, attributed the loss to the team’s low shooting percentage.

The United States scored on only 1 of 7 extra-man opportunities. Yugoslavia scored on three of its five penalty chances.

“If you can’t shoot, and you can’t pass, you can’t win,” Barnett said. “We had the opportunities, we just didn’t make use of them.”

Yugoslavia took a 3-0 first-quarter lead on goals by Perica Bukic, Dragon Andric and Deni Lusic. Ante Vasovic led Yugoslavia with two goals.

“We played very well tonight,” Yugoslavia Coach Ratko Rudic said. “Both teams are the same quality. Our chances are often 50-50 with the U.S. team. Tonight they had good defense, but we had better extra-man offense. That decides the winner.”

The teams play tonight at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach at 7:30. The series concludes at 3 p.m. Wednesday at USC.