Incoming freshman Ben Liechty led Team USA with a hat trick against Hungary.
USA Falls to Hungary, Will Play for Bronze at World University Games
August 05, 2023 | Men's Water Polo
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CHENGDU, China -- Team USA (5-2-0) used a furious rally in the fourth quarter, but fell to Hungary (6-0-1), 11-10, in the semifinals of the 2021 World University Games on Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Modern Pentathlon Centre Swimming and Fencing Hall.A total of six different Bruins scored in the game, paced by three goals from incoming freshman Ben Liechty. Liechty led the USA in total points with four (one assist). Senior Jack Larsen and redshirt freshman Vinnie Merk each scored twice for the Americans.
Senior Garret Griggs got the start in the cage and went the distance. However, China did not keep goalie stats for this game.
Hungary scored the first goal of the game, but Liechty tied it up on the next possession (5:50). The Americans took a 2-1 lead after a goal by Merk (2:29). But Hungary would score two unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead into the second quarter.
Hungary went 3-for-3 on power plays in the second quarter to win the period, 5-1, taking an 8-3 lead into the break. They were also strong defensively on the 5-on-6, holding USA to 0-for-5 before Larsen broke through with a power play goal (0:33), the Bruins' only score of the second, snapping a six-goal scoring streak by Hungary.
Hungary won the third period, 3-2, to build an 11-5 lead heading into the final stanza. The Americans were denied on all four of their power play chances in the third. Giorgio Alessandria scored a powerful goal at two meters (7:25) and Liechty netted his second goal of the game (0:51) to complete the scoring for the USA in the period.
The USA made a furious rally by dominating the fourth quarter with perfect defense and stellar offense, outscoring Hungary, 5-0. But Hungary was able to get two huge stops in the final minute of the game to preserve the win. Scoring for the Americans in the fourth was Larsen (7:04, his second), Merk (6:02, his second), Liechty (5:06, his third), Noah Rowe (4:00), and Makoto Kenney (1:33). Team USA had a goal by Liechty on a power play in the fourth quarter waived after a video review as it was determined that it happened a split second after the shot clock expired.
Team USA now plays Georgia for the bronze medal on Monday, Aug. 7 at 7:00 p.m. PT. The Americans beat Georgia, 7-6, in pool play.
USA vs. Hungary (World University Games - Semifinals)
| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Hungary | 3 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| USA | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
6x5 - USA - 5/20 - HUN - 5/10
Penalties - USA - 0/0 - HUN - 1/1
HUN Goals: Bendeguz Tamas Kevi 3, Botond Bobis 2, Benedek Imre Baksa 2, Gyorgy Agh 2, Mate Dome Dala 1, Bendeguz Ekler 1
HUN Saves: Marton Zoltan Mizsei - not available
USA Goals: Ben Liechty 3, Jack Larsen 2, Vinnie Merk 2, Giorgio Alessandria 1, Noah Rowe 1, Makoto Kenney 1
USA Saves: Garret Griggs - not available
Players Mentioned
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ATK
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