Team USA Men's Water Polo Defeated Australia to Finish 9th at 2007 World Champs

It was a tight game this morning as both the USA and Australia battled it out for the upper hand in the 9th-10th place classification match. While today's final game was much closer than their opening match during the preliminary rounds, Team USA was able to once again claim victory and end the tournament with a win.

"It's always better to end a tournament on a win. I am glad we were able to redeem ourselves," noted U.S. center forward Jeff Powers. This is Powers' fourth World Championship appearance, and while he was forced to sit out the remaining minutes on the bench after committing three exclusion fouls, he was instrumental in the U.S.'s win, earning three of the nine goals for Team USA.

The U.S. and Australia traded goals in the opening minutes of the game, Powers was first for USA at 7:11 followed by Pietro Figlioli for Australia at 6:53. The Aussie's captain, Thomas Whalan put another shot through from a cross pass from Anthony Martin. Converting on their first 6 on 5, the U.S.'s Layne Beaubien once again evened the score 2-2. Powers second goal of the game was once again followed by an Australian goal to tie the game for the third time 3-3. Captain Tony Azevedo was able to sqeak in one last shot with .16 left on the clock to close the quarter with a one goal advantage for the U.S.

Ryan Bailey emerged from the center early in the second quarter with a backhand past the goalie. Australia returned with a power play, only to be blocked by Merrill Moses, then picked up by Aussie's Timothy Neesham for a return goal. After coming out of the cage to retreive a live ball, goalkeeper Moses received a critical blow to the face that forced him to be removed from the game. Genai Kerr stepped in the goal for USA and the teams returned to regulation play. Peter Varellas came through with another goal for Team USA but was soon followed by two Aussie goals, ending the second quarter in another tie 6-6.

The third quarter saw another goal for goal trade between the U.S. and Australia. The U.S. broke out in the fourth quarter with a two goal lead, and Australia was unable to beat the clock, finding only enough time for one more goal before the end of the period.

More on the 2007 FINA World Championships - Melbourne, 17 March - 1 April 2007 - Including links to full results.

About USA Water Polo: USA Water Polo, Inc. is a non-profit corporation organized for the purpose to serve as the national governing body for the sport of water polo in the United States under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). For more information please visit www.usawaterpolo.com.