Men’s water polo: USA splits at French Open

NICE, France - The United States men’s water polo team, coached by

Corona del Mar’s John Vargas and captained by former Sea King Chris

Oeding, was defeated by Italy, 8-6, Thursday in the French Open.

Oeding, the men’s and women’s water polo coach at Orange Coast College,

scored a goal to help the Americans earn a 4-2 lead with 1:22 left before halftime.

But Italy scored four of the five third-period goals, leaving the

Americans with a 1-1 tournament record. Team USA crushed Germany, 8-2,

Wednesday to open the tournament, which begins the international

competitive season that will culminate with the 2000 Olympics in Sydney,

Australia.

“We had five power-play opportunities in the fourth quarter and came up

empty,” Vargas said of Thursday’s game.

United States star Tony Azevedo, a senior at Long Beach Wilson High,

missed Thursday’s game with the flu. He is expected to return for today’s

game against Kazakstan.

The U.S. needs a victory today to advance to Saturday’s semifinals.

FRENCH OPEN

Italy 8, United States 6

Score by quarters

United States 1 3 1 1 - 6

Italy 0 3 4 1 - 8

Italy - Calceterra 2, Postiglione 1, Bencevenga 1, Lisi 1, Angelini 1,

Sottani 1, Silipo 1. Saves - Tempesti 6, Gerini 1.

United States - Humbert 2, Bailey 1, Oeding 1, Schumacker 1, Wigo 1.

Saves - Hackett 7.

United States 8, Germany 2

Score by quarters

Unites States 3 4 1 0 - 8

Germany 0 0 0 2 - 2

United States - Wigo 2, Arroyo 2, Kredell 1, Oeding 1, Azevedo 1, Hackett

1. Saves - Hackett 8.

Germany - Delepena 1, Dieroff 1. Saves - Tschigir 7.