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GWANGJU, South Korea -- Team USA (5-2) put up a valiant defensive effort against the defending World University Games champions, but Hungary (7-0-1) advanced to the 2015 gold medal match with a 4-3 win on July 12 at the Yeomju Indoor Aquatics Center.
Center Alec Zwaneveld struck first for the Americans from two meters (7:11) off an assist from defender Anthony Daboub. Marton Halek scored a power play goal for Hungary to end the scoring in the first period with both teams tied at 1-1 (0:53).
The defensive battle continued in the second period with Team USA striking first to go up 2-1 when attacker Maxwell Irving set up attacker Ryder Roberts for a power play goal. Tamas Sedlmayer tied it at 2-2 on Hungary's next possession (2:47) with another 6-on-5 opportunity to end the scoring in the second.
The U.S. took a 3-2 lead to start the third on an exclusion goal by defender Chancellor Ramirez (5:59) but Hungary's Gergo Zalanki ended the scoring in the period with a goal with 0:12 remaining to tie it at 3-3.
Bence Batori scored the only goal of the fourth quarter on a power play to provide the 4-3 victory for his country with 1:49 remaining.
Alex Wolf was solid in the cage for Team USA and went the distance, making 10 saves, stopping 10 of Hungary's 14 shots (71.4%), including registering saves on 3-of-6 Hungarian power plays.
The United States was a paltry 2-for-8 on power plays, while Hungary was 3-for-6. Neither team attempted a penalty shot. The 4-3 score marked the fewest combined goals of any game of the tournament and both were team-low scores for the U.S. and Hungary.
Team USA will face Serbia in a rematch of Group B action, won by the Americans 7-6, for the bronze medal. Serbia lost 11-7 today to Italy in the other semifinal. The two teams will square off on July 14 at Noon (local time)/8:00 p.m. on July 13 (PDT).
NOTES: The United States hasn't won a medal at the World University Games in men's water polo since winning back-to-back gold in 1991 and 1993.
USA vs. Hungary (World University Games Semifinals)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Hungary | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| USA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Hungary Goals: Tamas Sedlmayer 1, Bence Batori 1, Gergo Zalanki 1, Marton Halek 1
Hungary Saves: David Bisztritsanyi 8
USA Goals: Ryder Roberts 1, Alec Zwaneveld 1, Chancellor Ramirez 1
USA Saves: Alex Wolf 10