Team
U.S.A. has too much for 49er water polo
By
Daniel Frias
On-line Forty-Niner
After
winning its last four games the No. 4-ranked
Long Beach State 49ers women's water polo
team had a little trouble against a team
that head coach Ricardo Azevedo described
as "fast, potent, strong and very well
coached."
The
49ers took on Team USA at The Campus Pool
in an exhibition game in which the 49ers
lost 12-5.
"They
are a classy team. They are the world champions.
They have the best players in the world.
When you play them you see class, crisp
passing, anticipation, execution. And a
well coached team," said Azevedo.
So
how do you beat a team like that?
"If
I had an all star team between Russia, Hungary
and Italy then I might have prayer,"
joked Azevedo.
It
took the U.S. National Team less than 30
seconds to score when attacker Brenda Villa
put one in the net for the 1-0 lead. The
Beach came right back and tied the score
on the next play when junior Robyn Gordon
scored a goal after receiving a pass from
Drew Wawrzinski.
Both
teams traded two more goals to end the period
tied at three apiece.
In
the second half Team U.S.A. went on a shooting
spree and scored seven goals including six
straight to take a 10-4 lead at the half.
"When
you play the national team we're not trying
to win. We're trying to learn. That's where
I think it's beneficial," said Azevedo.
"They
are a very strong team," said Hawkins.
"We just went in there and tried to
go out and play with them. I thought we
did well. It gave us a good match up. It
was a good experience and really beneficial."
The
49ers got back on track in the third period
and stayed with Team U.S.A. not allowing
them to score a single point in the period.
The Beach however, could not find a way
to points on the scoreboard either. The
U.S. National Teams defense was impenetrable.
Everytime The Beach went inside and tried
to score their defense would close in and
take the ball away. Team U.S.A. was quick
on offense and would have scored in the
period if it was not for the 49ers defense
and a couple of great saves by 49er goalie
Bri Hawkins.
"She
played very well," said Azevedo. "She
went in there and made some good saves.
Some of those she had no chance, but when
she did she stepped up and made some nice
blocks."
In
the final period The Beach managed just
one goal when sophomore Cassie Azevedo fired
a shot that found its way to the back of
the cage. That was all the 49ers could do
as Team U.S.A. added two more before time
expired to defeat The Beach 12-5.
Allison
Braden led The Beach with two scores. Azevedo,
Gordin and Wawrzynski each contributed with
a goal.
Team
U.S.A. will play UCLA Saturday and USC Sunday.
The 49ers will close out its regular season
against UC Santa Barbara Saturday.
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