U.S. Team Slips Past Australia

The men’s U.S. national water polo team continued its tune-up for the Olympics, posting a last-second, 7-6 victory over Australia Sunday at El Toro High.

Chris Humbert scored the game-winning goal with one second remaining in the final game of the four-game series.

Humbert, who led the team in scoring when it finished fourth at the World Cup tournament in September, also scored the tying goal with 1 minute 20 seconds remaining.

The U.S. team finished the series, 2-1-1, and next will play host to Italy, the defending Olympic champion. The final game of the three-game series is Jan. 3 at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.

The U.S. team will begin to finalize its Olympic roster in May when it will play host to the U.S. Open. Italy, Hungary and Croatia have been invited.

“We have the talent here,” said goalie and team captain Chris Duplanty, formerly of UC Irvine, “but we need to establish our own identity.”

Hoping to add to the team’s chemistry is Mike Evans, 35, formerly of UC Irvine, who retired after the 1992 Olympics at Barcelona. Against Australia he scored five goals in the four games. He did not score Sunday. Chris Oeding, formerly of California and Corona del Mar, scored once Sunday.