University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Jack Larsen led Team USA with a hat trick against Georgia.
USA Falls to Georgia in Bronze Medal Game
August 07, 2023 | Men's Water Polo
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CHENGDU, China -- A slow start proved to be costly for Team USA (5-3), which lost to Georgia (5-3), 12-7, in the bronze medal game of the 2021 World University Games on Monday, Aug. 8 at the Modern Pentathlon Centre Swimming and Fencing Hall.A total of five different Bruins scored in the game, paced by three goals from senior Jack Larsen. No other Bruin scored more than one goal.
Senior Garret Griggs got the start in the cage and went the distance, tallying nine saves while giving up 12 goals.
Team USA defeated Georgia, 7-6, in pool play, but this night belonged to the Georgians, which scored the first three goals of the game before Larsen broke through with a power play goal (0:27) to end the scoring in the first period with the USA trailing 3-1.
Georgia tacked on three more goals while holding the Americans scoreless in the second quarter to build a 6-1 lead at the break. USA struggled out of the gates, going 1-for-6 on power plays and 0-for-2 on penalties in the first half.
The USA finally got its offense going, but defensive miscues kept the Bruins from making up any ground in the third as the two teams battled to a 3-3 draw with Georgia taking a 9-4 lead into the fourth. Larsen scored his second (6:38), senior Makoto Kenney scored his first (4:22) and incoming freshman Wade Sherlock scored a power play goal (0:20) in the third period.
The Americans managed another 3-3 draw in the fourth quarter to provide the 12-7 final. Sophomore Noah Rowe opened the scoring in the fourth (7:02). Also in the final stanza, Larsen completed his hat trick (2:43) and redshirt freshman Vinnie Merk had the final score for Team USA with 1:49 to go.
USA vs. Georgia (World University Games - Bronze Medal Game)
| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Georgia | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| USA | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
6x5 - USA - 4/13 - GEO - 5/15
Penalties - USA - 0/2 - GEO - 1/1
GEO Goals: Nika Shushiashvili 3, Saba Tkeshelash Vili 2, Valiko Dadvani 1, Andria Bitadze 1, Sandro Adeish Vili 1, Khvicha Jakhaia 1, Besarion Akhvlediani 1, Revaz Imnaishvili 1, Giorgi Magrakvelidze 1
GEO Saves: Irakli Razmadze 10
USA Goals: Jack Larsen 3, Makoto Kenney 1, Noah Rowe 1, Wade Sherlock 1, Vinnie Merk 1
USA Saves: Garret Griggs 9
Players Mentioned
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