The Los Alamitos-based U.S. men's national water polo team will face Canada today for the championship the UANA World Aquatics Championship Qualification Tournament in Calgary, Alberta, one day after assuring itself of a berth in the world championship by defeating Argentina, 15- 8.
Scott Davidson (Seal Beach) scored three times Saturday night and Alex Bowen, J.P. MacDonell, Jeff Powers and Jesse Smith twice each.
The U.S. never trailed, leading 2-1 at the end of the first quarter on goals by Nikola Vavic (Rancho Palos Verdes) and Davidson. Bowen, MacDonell, Smith, Ryan Bailey (Long Beach) and Powers scored in the second quarter as the U.S. increased its lead to 7-4 at halftime.
Bowen, Smith, Tommy Corcoran, Davidson, Bret Bonanni (Huntington Beach) and Powers scored in the third quarter giving the U.S. a 13-6 lead.
MacDonell and Davidson scored in the fourth quarter.
The victory was the fourth for the U.S. over Argentina in 11 days. The U.S. defeated Argentina, 16-6 and 14-8, in exhibitions Jan. 23 and Jan. 26 at USC and Northwood High School in Irvine, and 13-3 Friday in the round-robin portion of the tournament.
The U.S. will play Canada, which defeated Brazil, 7-6, in Saturday's other semifinal. The U.S. lost to Canada, 10-6, Wednesday in the opening game for both teams.
The top two finishers in the four-team tournament were assured of berths in the world championship, which will be held in Barcelona, Spain this summer.
- City News Service
