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Monday, August 20, 2007 @ 11:14 PM Game 30: USA (USA) vs Croatia (CRO) on 8/20/2007 By Greg Mescall    898 Views    Rating: Final Score: USA 11  Croatia 6 Officials: Bock, Rotunno Delegates: El Allam, Sharanov Scoring: USA: 11 Croatia:  6 Player Goals Saves Player Goals Saves MacDonell 2 Jokovic 2 Krumpholz 4 Sukno 1 Sagehorn 1 Muslin 3 Wigo 2 Jurisic 9 Sardo 1 Warden 1 Lapin 18 The crowd of over 1200 rose to their feet at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos and clapped wildly chanting "U-S-A--U-S-A" as the clock wound down to zero on Team USA's third straight win, an 11-6 victory over Croatia. Now most everyone there knew it represented nothing more than a pool play victory in the early stages of the FINA 2007 Men's Junior World Championships, but for those in the stands and on the deck it felt like a whole lot more. What began as a tense back and forth battle with four ties turned into a contest where the United States was able to pull away from a Croatian team they had failed to beat in two recent attempts this summer overseas. With the victory USA improved to 3-0 while Croatia falls to 2-1, and more importantly USA continued to pave the way for a perfect record in group play with two games looming, which can only benefit the squad down the road. All the elements were there for Team USA tonight starting with goaltending and the play of Chay Lapin. Fittingly the game ended with the ball in the hands of Lapin who seemed to control it's movements all evening long. He tallied 18 total saves, few of the "cheap" variety, and reached his own personal goaltending zen which results in Lapin screaming "Get Out!" to potentials shots that come hurled at his cage. "I couldn't have asked for a better effort from Chay and my team," remarked USA Head Coach Doug Peabody. Sure Lapin was aware he had brought a good game with him on this night, but what interested him more is what the victory accomplishes for this USA team, "It finally gives us confidence, just because we are USA and we are usually the underdogs," Lapin continued, "I came off a hard game and (tonight) I felt really focused and my defense helped," he concluded. It was more than just Lapin as the offense seemed to get better as the game wore on led by four tallies off the hand of JW Krumpholz including his own personal hat trick during the third stanza. While Krumpholz had set up shop from four meters on in Jansen Wigo provided some fire power as well lighting the proverbial lamp on two occassions. And then there was the birthday boy Matthew Sagehorn who celebrated his 20 years with a score of his own which led to the crowd serenading him with a birthday tune. There wasn't much this game didn't have including a dose of reality from all team USA players that while this win is important and memorable it's just one step in a long road to haul, "It feels great but we are just one step closer, it's just a bracket game and we gotta think about that," said Sagehorn. Lapin echoed those statements in regards to making too much of this victory, "we talked about that, we just take it game after game, we might meet up with them in the semis, this is just one stepping stone," stated Lapin. Granted it was just a stepping stone, but for Team USA it was one nice step in the right direction on all fronts, "I think we did a job tonight being USA Water Polo," Peabody added as he then walked off to greet friends and family in the crowd of revelers knowing his group is right back in the pool tomorrow night against Puerto Rico where they get a shot to take another step.   Flash Quotes: Country: USA:  "I definitely think it sets a tone. I think we are an underdog but alot of teams were here tonight and saw the level we can play at" -- Matthew Sagehorn Country:  "We won a bracket game and we have to keep that in mind" -- Doug Peabody

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