Russia Gets Off to Quick Start, but U.S. Rallies for Victory
Russia tossed in three goals in the first 3 1/2 minutes while the U.S. national water polo team was scoreless Friday night in the UPS International Cup.
“I was a little concerned, to say the least,” U.S. goalkeeper Dan Hackett said. “But I didn’t want to lose my head.”
He didn’t. Hackett, a two-time All-American at UCLA, gave up only four goals the rest of the way, shutting out Russia in the third quarter, and his nine saves helped lead Team USA to 10-7 victory at Corona del Mar High.
The U.S. team (3-0) plays Italy (1-1-1) today at 3:45 p.m. in the semifinals. Yugoslavia (3-0) and Russia (2-1) meet in the other semifinal at 5 p.m.
Chris Humbert had three goals, and Tony Azevedo and Chi Kredell each had two for the U.S. It was a goal by Humbert with 1 minute 38 seconds left in the third quarter that gave the U.S. its first lead at 6-5. Hackett ignited the play with a long pass, and the U.S. didn’t trail again.
“That was a back-breaker for them,” Hackett said. “And that kind of play really energizes the crowd.”
The U.S. went on to lead 9-5 and 10-6 in the fourth quarter in front of a standing-room-only crowd of more than 1,500.
Team USA Coach John Vargas said defensive breakdowns were more responsible for Russia’s three early goals than anything Hackett did.
“We were a little jittery at the start, but we did a good job on defense after that,” Vargas said.
After the troubled start, it turned out to be a big game for Hackett, who played at Irvine High.
“The Russian teams always seem to come out hard,” Hackett said. “When their first shot goes in, they come at you that much harder the next time. We came out tentative. It was our first big game with everyone back, and we had to put four quarters together for the first time in this tournament. We outlasted them.”
The last time the teams met with their top players, the U.S. won in overtime in the 1997 FINA Cup.
Russia played this time without its top player, driver Alexander Eryshov, who broke his right hand in an exhibition against Italy last weekend and is out for six to eight weeks.
In other pool-play games:
Italy 6, Australia 6--Enrico Ghibellini of Italy and Craig Miller of Australia each had two goals. Italy advanced into the semifinals with more overall goals than Australia.
Yugoslavia 16, Puerto Rico 4-- Zeljko Vicevic and Petar Trbojevic each had three goals for Yugoslavia.
Brazil 17, Mexico 2--Richard Perrone had five goals and Andre Cordeiro had 11 saves for Brazil, which plays Puerto Rico at 1:15 today. Australia and Mexico meet at 2:30.
