U.S. Water Polo Team Defeats Yugoslavia, 9-6

David Imbernino scored three goals as the United States rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat world champion Yugoslavia, 9-6, in an exhibition water polo match Tuesday night at Newport Harbor High School.

Imbernino, a driver from Newport Beach, was the high scorer for the No. 3-ranked United States, 3-0 on the six-city California pre-Olympic tour. The teams will play tonight in San Diego.

U.S. Coach Bill Barnett said the victory “was a pleasant surprise. We played a lot of players and used many reserves, and everyone contributed quite well.”

The United States (16-4-3) will meet Yugoslavia, the 1984 gold medal winner, in the first round of the Seoul Olympics on Sept. 21.