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More than just a number – The Hawk Eye

What if I’m not good enough for college? Everyone says junior year is the hardest — they aren’t wrong. From balancing multiple AP classes, dual credit courses and preparing for the SAT and PSAT, this year felt like a constant battle, and no one talks about how overwhelming and lonely it can feel when things […]

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What if I’m not good enough for college?

Everyone says junior year is the hardest — they aren’t wrong. From balancing multiple AP classes, dual credit courses and preparing for the SAT and PSAT, this year felt like a constant battle, and no one talks about how overwhelming and lonely it can feel when things don’t go as hoped. 

Junior year is considered to matter the most — it’s the year colleges care about. The one where your GPA, test scores and extracurriculars either set you up for success, or shatter your dreams. I walked into this school year confident, thinking that this was going to be my best academic year. I began chasing a version of myself I thought colleges wanted. However, when I tapped on the SAT’s “reveal your score” and saw a number that didn’t reflect my efforts, I broke – not all at once, but quietly and slowly — a pain that would linger within me.

I felt constant humiliation from my friends and family who teased me about my score. It hurt because I was the student who’d always earn A’s on assignments, studying day and night. Slowly, I began disappearing into my classes, not caring about anything because I felt like my dream of getting into a good college was crushed. After months of SAT prep, I couldn’t understand how it all fell apart. Now, I’m left wondering how I can improve as I’m running out of time.

With my own sport, track and field, I felt the pressure of having to succeed and make big achievements to impress colleges. I thought I would do well and that I’d work hard to earn a varsity spot. Despite my dreams, I ran my worst meet crushing any remaining faith I had for my future. Everything was falling apart. No matter how hard I tried to hold on, I constantly felt like I was losing grip of the future I wanted. 

But here’s one thing no one really says: it’s OK not to be OK.     

Our plans fall apart, and failure happens to all of us. The truth is, sometimes a person can do everything right, but still fall short. It’s normal. It’s not the end of the world. Failing a test and not being the “perfect student” doesn’t mean an individual failed at life. It’s how one responds to the obstacles that they’ll face that matters. 

Rather than figuring out my major, the college I’m going to or what my future looks like, I learned to get back up — even if I didn’t feel like it. Growth doesn’t always come easily; sometimes it shows up in big losses that can’t be redeemed, yet you choose to keep going anyway. 

It’s OK to lean on people, because without them, we might forget how to live. I distanced myself from the people I cared about. I missed out on my homecoming game, the dance, Thanksgiving parties, hangouts and late-night food drives with my friends — moments I’ll never get back all because I thought nobody would understand the pressure that consumed me. 

I realized the most meaningful parts of my junior year were the exact opposite of what I imagined at the start. It was the late-night FaceTime calls, the immaturity, laughter and the people who stuck around when I couldn’t be myself. 

Junior year was tough, but it showed me that being myself is enough. That meant more to me than any number could. 



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Summer Is Upon Us — and So Is Push to Build and Update Public Swimming Pools 

This article was underwritten in part by the Mickey Flacks Journalism Fund for Social Justice, a proud, innovative supporter of local news. To make a contribution go to sbcan.org/journalism_fund. A dunk on a hot summer day, a workout in the lap lanes, a rehabilitation session after an injury, a swim lesson — a public pool […]

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This article was underwritten in part by the Mickey Flacks Journalism Fund for Social Justice, a proud, innovative supporter of local news. To make a contribution go to sbcan.org/journalism_fund.


A dunk on a hot summer day, a workout in the lap lanes, a rehabilitation session after an injury, a swim lesson — a public pool can bring a lot to a community. But in the Santa Ynez Valley, residents have had no public swimming access for about five years. 

The Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation is hoping to change that by building a two-pool complex at Santa Ynez High School. The complex will include a 33-meter-by-25-yard competition pool where swim and polo teams can train and compete (the current pool at Santa Ynez High School is not regulated for high school sports and cannot host meets) and the public can swim laps. It will also feature a 25-yard warm-water pool for swim lessons, rehabilitation therapy, and aqua fitness. 

Earlier this month, the foundation announced it had received a $450,000 grant from the City of Solvang to put toward the construction of the complex. Lisa Palmer, the foundation’s board president and campaign chair, called the donation a critical step forward and a call to action in a press release.

“We hope it inspires matching contributions and additional support from across the County,” she said.

Palmer told the Independent that discussions surrounding building an aquatic complex started well before valley residents lost public swim access in 2020. In 2017, the foundation purchased the 2016 Olympic Trials pool. That pool was a Myrtha pool — a stainless-steel pre-engineered pool that can be taken apart and put back together. The pool was shipped from Omaha, Nebraska, to the valley, and its pieces are currently in storage. 

Solvang’s $450,000 grant adds to the approximately $3.5 million the foundation has raised. In a press release, the foundation said it has about $10 million more to go, with the goal of finishing fundraising by the end of 2026.

A little more than 40 miles away, Carpinteria is planning to simultaneously fundraise and start on updates for its public pool after a report from aquatics engineering firm Counsilman-Hunsaker last month found that it needs just less than $1 million of repairs. 

“The Carpinteria community pool is more than just a place to swim — it’s a vital space for health, recreation, and connection. Keeping the facility updated and well-maintained ensures that we continue to meet the needs of families, seniors, and youth alike,” said Jeanette Gant, director of Carpinteria’s Parks and Recreation and Community Services. 

[Click to enlarge]


Currently, the Carpinteria Community Pool is open year-round. It’s home to swim and water polo teams for both youth and adults as well as aqua-aerobics, lap and recreational swim sessions, and swim lessons. Carpinteria High School’s swim and water polo teams also use the facility for competitions. 

Recommended repairs include replacing the pool’s cantilevered gutters as well as its depth markings and warning signs. Because addressing the gutters will require replacement of part of the deck, the city plans to replace the whole deck simultaneously, ensuring consistency. 

The pool’s filter system is in need of repairs; the city has maintained it for 36 years, and it is reaching its end-of-life stage as is the pool’s heater is also nearing the end of its life. Further, Counsilman-Hunsaker found that the pool’s bathhouse is not currently ADA compliant and recommended updating it — Carpinteria’s Parks and Recreation Department says a renovation, which would give the current conditions a facelift along with the required structural changes to reach compliance, will cost about $160,000. 

Carpinteria brought its strategic goals to the city’s council last weekend. The plan, says Gant, is to fundraise and begin the project (including creating designs and getting permits) simultaneously, as the renovation process will be lengthy. 

“We’re excited to begin ramping up fundraising efforts and invite the public to join us in shaping the future of these essential services,” Gant said. 

Finally, in Santa Barbara’s Eastside, plans to replace the Ortega Park swimming pools are in the design stage. Currently, Ortega Park’s pool is open in the summer for children younger than 14 and offers swim lessons. The current proposal is to build a lap pool that can be open year-round, as well as a wading pool for children and two waterslides. The City of Santa Barbara’s Parks and Recreation Department said that it aims to submit plans to Building and Development in a couple of months. The current goal is to have the project “shovel ready,” or ready to be built, to make it more competitive for grant funding. The plans to replace the pool are part of a wider park revitalization project, which is estimated to cost approximately $30 million.

Huge Protest in Santa Barbara Says ‘No’ to King Trump



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University of Mississippi – Ole Miss Athletics

EUGENE, Ore. – Ole Miss track & field will have four freshmen representatives at the 2025 U.S. U20 Championships, held at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field from June 19-20.   Rebels in competition will be SEC silver medalist pole vaulter Lily Beattie and fellow freshman teammate Katie McFarland in the women’s pole vault, freshman […]

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EUGENE, Ore. – Ole Miss track & field will have four freshmen representatives at the 2025 U.S. U20 Championships, held at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field from June 19-20.
 
Rebels in competition will be SEC silver medalist pole vaulter Lily Beattie and fellow freshman teammate Katie McFarland in the women’s pole vault, freshman jumper Indya Dotson in the women’s long jump, and recently crowned Second-Team All-American Jordan Urrutia in both the men’s 100 and 200-meter dashes.
 
Just last week Urrutia ran the second leg on Ole Miss’ 15th-place national 4×100-meter relay squad. He enters with a wind-aided season-best of 10.33 (+4.0) in the 100, as well as a wind-legal PR of 20.82 (+0.9) from the SEC Outdoor Championships that currently ties him for 10th in Ole Miss history.
 
Beattie’s silver medal performance at the conference meet marked the best finish ever by a Rebel woman in the event, and her runner-up height of 4.26m/13-11.75 ranks her third in Ole Miss history outdoors. McFarland had a productive first season with the Rebels as well, with her PR 4.07m/13-04.25 from her outdoor debut at the Ole Miss Classic ranking ninth on the all-time Rebel lists.
 
Dotson redshirted the 2025 outdoor campaign, but indoors notched strong debut bests of 5.85m/19-02.50 in the long jump and 11.75m/38-06.75 in the triple jump.
 
Competition begins with Urrutia in the men’s 100-meter dash on Thursday evening, with the meet running through Friday night as well.
 
COMPETITION SCHEDULE (All Times Pacific / Central)
 
Thursday, June 19
4:21/6:21 PM: Men’s 100-Meter Dash (First Round) – Jordan Urrutia
5:30/7:30 PM: Women’s Pole Vault (Final) – Lily Beattie, Katie McFarland
6:16/8:16 PM: Men’s 100-Meter Dash (Final)
 
Friday, June 20
3:00/5:00 PM: Women’s Long Jump (Final) – Indya Dotson
4:20/6:20 PM: Men’s 200-Meter Dash (First Round) – Jordan Urrutia
5:50/7:50 PM: Men’s 200-Meter Dash (Final)
 



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Missions' Ripken Reyes named Texas League Player of the Week

SAN ANTONIO — Minor League Baseball announced that San Antonio Missions outfielder Ripken Reyes is the Texas League Player of the Week for the week of June 9-15. Reyes ripped the Sod Poodles in Amarillo, going 6-16 (.375) with three triples, a home run and 10 RBIs—the most across all Double-A baseball this week. He […]

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Missions' Ripken Reyes named Texas League Player of the Week

SAN ANTONIO — Minor League Baseball announced that San Antonio Missions outfielder Ripken Reyes is the Texas League Player of the Week for the week of June 9-15.

Reyes ripped the Sod Poodles in Amarillo, going 6-16 (.375) with three triples, a home run and 10 RBIs—the most across all Double-A baseball this week. He also walked four times, stole a base, scored seven runs and put down a game-tying suicide squeeze bunt. At one point, Reyes tripled three times within four at bats, including twice with the bases loaded. He became the first player at the Double-A level dating back to 2005 to hit bases-clearing triples in back-to-back games.

For Reyes, this is the first weekly award of his career. The 28-year-old is in his sixth professional season with the San Diego Padres after they drafted him in the 30th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft. Reyes began 2025 with Triple-A El Paso, where he hit .269 in a pair of stints with the Chihuahuas. He rejoined the Missions on Tuesday, June 10, just in time to begin his tear through Amarillo.

The switch-hitter has played 328 games with the San Antonio Missions over the past four seasons, sporting a .239 batting average with 41 doubles, 12 triples, 11 home runs, 123 RBIs and 55 stolen bases. In 2023, Reyes set the single- season Minor League Baseball record when he was hit by 49 pitches while with the Missions. Reyes, a true utility man, has played every position for San Antonio except catcher and pitcher.

Reyes was born in Bremerton, Washington, but he grew up in Stockton, California. He played three seasons at the University of California, Berkeley, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in English. He then finished his collegiate baseball career at the University of San Diego, where he graduated with his master’s degree. While he plays professionally, Reyes continues to pursue a PhD in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego.

Reyes becomes the third Missions player to win Texas League Player of the Week in 2025. He joins Devin Ortiz, who won the award for the week of March 31-April 6, and Francisco Acuña, who won the last time the Missions played in Amarillo during the week of April 21-27.

The Missions used the production from Reyes to claim an electrifying series win in Amarillo, leaving them 1.5 games behind the Frisco RoughRiders for first place in the Texas League South with just six games left in the first half. The RoughRiders and Missions began a crucial series against each other on Tuesday at Nelson Wolff Stadium in San Antonio.

For more information on an action-packed homestand, call 210-675-7275, or visit samissions.com.

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News – Water Polo Australia

Water Polo Australia is pleased to confirm the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. A 15-strong team has been selected to represent Australia at the event, which will take place from 11-24 July. The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks team features five World Championships debutants, eight Paris Olympians, as well […]

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Water Polo Australia is pleased to confirm the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

A 15-strong team has been selected to represent Australia at the event, which will take place from 11-24 July.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks team features five World Championships debutants, eight Paris Olympians, as well as captain and two-time Olympian Nathan Power.

Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks Head Coach Tim Hamill said: “We’re proud to announce and select our team for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships.

“Singapore will be the first opportunity for our team to return to the world stage since the Paris Olympic Games last year.

“We played a great test series against New Zealand at home earlier this year, and have just returned from a tour of the United States where we were able to win the test series against them – but nothing compares to the international stage.

“We’ll be heading to Thailand for a training camp with Serbia in the lead up to the World Championships. We’ve been refining and updating our principles and systems, both offensively and defensively, so Singapore will be a great opportunity to implement these.

“We’re also excited for the five athletes that will make their World Championships debut – representing our country and the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks is always a proud moment and I know it’s something that our team does not take lightly,” he said.

The 2025 World Aquatics Championships will be held in Singapore from 11-24 July, with the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks set to play their first game on Saturday 12 July against Hungary. The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks and Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers games will be LIVE and FREE on 9Now.

Water Polo Australia would like to congratulate the following athletes on their selection:

Laurence Barker (NSW)
Marcus Berehulak (QLD/NSW)
Matthew Byrnes (NSW)
Tristan Glanznig (NSW)
Andrej Grgurevic (NSW)
Angus Lambie (NSW)
Milos Maksimovic (NSW)
Drew McJannett (NSW)
Jacob Mercep (NSW)
Sam Nangle (NSW)
Charlie Negus (NSW)
Luke Pavillard (WA)
Nic Porter (QLD)
Nathan Power (NSW)
Tim Putt (WA/NSW)





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Football, Men’s Track and Men’s Lacrosse Earn NE10 Team Academic Excellence Award

Football 6/18/2025 4:05:00 PM Story Links WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley football, men’s track and field and men’s lacrosse squads each earned the Northeast 10 Team Academic Excellence Award for the 2024-25 season. The Team Academic Excellence Award is given to the program which […]

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WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley football, men’s track and field and men’s lacrosse squads each earned the Northeast 10 Team Academic Excellence Award for the 2024-25 season.

The Team Academic Excellence Award is given to the program which has highest team GPA in each sport the NE10 sponsors.

Bentley’s three team awards are tied for the second most in the conference.

Football posted a 3.152 GPA to win the award for the third straight season and ninth overall.

Men’s lacrosse won the award for the fifth consecutive time and 11th overall. Their GPA was 3.446.

Men’s track and field secured the award for the 12th time since 2010 when the award was first presented with a 3.500 team GPA.

 



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Top-tier teams to tackle quarterfinals

Overview The winners from Wednesday will now play the first and second teams from the top two groups to see who goes through to the medal round on Friday. This sees Hungary take on Italy, Spain against Montenegro, Croatia playing Greece and Serbia facing USA. The losers of Wednesday’s matches will have a rest day […]

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Overview

The winners from Wednesday will now play the first and second teams from the top two groups to see who goes through to the medal round on Friday. This sees Hungary take on Italy, Spain against Montenegro, Croatia playing Greece and Serbia facing USA.

The losers of Wednesday’s matches will have a rest day and play their classification 9-12 semifinals on Friday.

In Groups G and H, where teams are battling for classifications 13-20, they have their final round matches on Thursday. The bottom two teams in each group will contest the classifications 17-20 on Friday while the top teams will play off for classifications 13-16 on Saturday.

Round 1-2 Crossovers

Match 35, IRAN 5 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 23 (1-7, 1-5, 0-3, 3-8)


Image Source: Ryan Ohl (USA) and Ali Abolghasemi (IRI)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

USA wasted no time in preparing for the quarterfinals with a sudden rush of goals early and competency, control and composure throughout for an illustrious 18-goal margin. It all began with a six-goal stroll through the park that became 10-1 and 12-2 by halftime. It was all downhill from there for Iran as it could not find answers to arrest the roll. Olympian Ryder Dodd scored three of the first six USA goals, including the first two on counter. Fellow senior international Ryan Ohl also scored a pair on counter. Ali Shabanian tipped in a pass to centre forward for 6-1 at 0:15. Kiefer Black made it 7-1 from very deep right on the buzzer. Corbin Stanley converted extra as USA sent in the first three of the second quarter with Mohammadmehdi Jafari slotting one from the top left. Stanley and Black contributed another one each before halftime.


Image Source: Arman Shams (IRI) and Kiefer Black (USA)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Stanley opened the second half, dragging down a pass to the right post with Ryan Ohl and Max Zelikov taking it to 15-2 before an Iranian timeout. USA had a penalty attempt saved and it was time for the final quarter or “coup de gras”. Connor Ohl stepped up in the final quarter with three goals while Stanley added a fourth to his tally to snare player of the match. Mohammadtaha Samaei and Arshia Abdollahifar were the Iranian scorers in the final period.

Match Heroes
Stanley
took his tourney tally to five with four goals today. Ryan Ohl, Connor Ohl, Zelikov, Dodd and Black scored three apiece. Dodd’s total is now 13 in a team where everyone scores. Goalkeeper Baxter Chelsom impressed with 14 saves.

Turning Point
The 6-0 opening quarter that became 10-1 midway through the second quarter, giving USA the match early.


Image Source: Ali Abolghasemi (IRI)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Stats Don’t Lie
USA converted four from five on extra and denied Iran a goal from its two attempts. On penalties, USA sent in three from four and Iran one from one. USA made nine steals to five and shot one less that Iran — 32-33.

Bottom Line
USA was always going to make it through to the quarterfinal no matter the opponent. Now it has the hard task of taking on Serbia for a medal-round berth.

Match 36, CHINA 6 GREECE 27 (2-5, 0-8, 2-6, 2-8)


Image Source: China v Greece/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Greece hammered China into submission with the second quarter where the match was truly decided. Despite a stutter at the penalty line, Greece went 5-0 up with Ilias Angelopoulos producing two goals from two metres. He finished off the scoring in the second quarter as Greece went eight straight with Apostolos Georgaras netting twice and Spyridon Lykoudis gaining a second. China collected the last two goals of the first quarter on penalty, needing a challenge to secure the first opportunity.


Image Source: Nikolaos Giannatos (GRE) and Deng Zirui (CHN)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

China came back with a pair of goals in the third period thanks to Li Chang who found himself free at centre forward and Liu Jinyi on counter. Meanwhile, Greece was on the prowl with Semir Spachits, Nikolaos Giannatos and Ioannis Tottis all gaining their second goals. Angelopoulos converted a penalty for 19-4 and China’s penalty chance was stopped. Five more Greek goals came in three and a half minutes — three on counter. Li Diheng also countered for 24-5 and China netted another while Greece scored the last two via Lykoudis and Angelopoulos who picked up a loose ball to nab his sixth with six seconds left on the clock. Tottis was still upset after the final buzzer because he thought he should have gained the penalty. However, the referee played the advantage and Angelopoulos took the kudos.

Match Heroes
Greece’s Angelopoulos finished with six goals; Lykoudis and Chatzis scored four each. Lazaros Vekris made 12 stops in goal. For China, goalkeeper Hua Zhonghao made nine saves.

Turning Point
The starting whistle.


Image Source: Apostolos Georgaras (GRE)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Stats Don’t Lie
Grece nailed all four extra-man attempts and stopped China on all nine occasions. Both missed a penalty attempt with China converting three and Greece two. Greece stole and incredible 24 to seven and outshot China 48-28.

Bottom Line
Greece was always heading to the quarterfinals. China is not at this level yet.

Match 37, GERMANY 10 MONTENEGRO 11 (2-3, 4-4, 1-2, 3-2)


Image Source: Drasko Samardzic (MNE)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Germany came close but not close enough as Montenegro maintains its top-eight position and medal hopes are still alive. Montenegro was never headed but did allow Germany to level twice in the second period. Montenegro scored twice to start the encounter on a positive note. Goals were swapped then Germany’s Luk Jaschke screamed in a six-metre-free-throw shot that took the left post, banged into the back of the goalkeeper’s head and into goal for 3-2, the quarter-time score. Tim Perov scored his second to start the next period with the see-sawing effect coming to 5-4 and then 5-5 as Till Hofmann grabbed a double for Germany, equalising the match at five and six. Srdan Janovic scored from six metres to give Montenegro the halftime edge.


Image Source: Luk Jaschke (GER)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Milan Nikaljevic started the third as he began the first, this time from nine metres out. Germany barred out on a penalty attempt and midway through the quarter, Nikola Petrovic scored from centre forward, for 9-6. Finn Taubert pulled one back a minute from the final break. Lennox Metten scored twice catching up Montenegrin goals in the fourth and then twin brother Elias Metten made it 11-10 — just one goal behind. Germany took a timeout at 1:02 and had an excellent shot saved. Montenegro went to a timeout at 0:14 and the shot was saved. The ball was sent upfield, stolen and shot against Germany, to no avail. Montenegro had the match by a goal.

Match Heroes
Montenegro’s Matijasevic and Nikaljevic and Perov scored two each for Montenegro. Goalkeeper Danilo Rajevic pulled in 11 saves. Simic and Lennox Metten with two each. Max Spittank made 12 saves in goal.


Image Source: Srdan Janovic (MNE)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Turning Point
Montenegro going three up twice in the final quarter.

Stats Don’t Lie
Montenegro scored three from seven on extra and stopped five of nine German attempts. Germany scored one of two on penalty; Montenegro edged the steal could at 6-5 and similarly with the total shots — 33-32.

Bottom Line
Germany was trying to break through from the lower tier but it was not to be as Montenegro held sway in the final quarter and maintained its top-eight ranking.

Match 38, AUSTRALIA 6 ITALY 17 (1-3, 3-4, 1-6, 1-4)


Image Source: Harper Stewart (AUS) and Alessandro Gullotta (ITA)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Italy collected its first victory in Zagreb, the one that was needed most to make sure it had a quarterfinal ticket. Italy was tidy throughout and made the shots that counted — fast shots, quickly taken to upset to catch the defence unawares. Jake Martin opened for Australia but by quarter time Italy was 3-1 up and both teams missed a penalty chance. Emanuele Marini’s first goal of the second period needed VAR and then Tommaso Cora netted his second on penalty. Goals were traded to halftime with Giorgio Giacomone scoring twice, the second with a centre-forward backhand. The margin was three in favour of Italy.


Image Source: Jake Martin (AUS)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Marini led a three-goal spurt at the top of the third period before Australia took a timeout to slow the onslaught. However, Alessandro Gullotta scored for Italy, followed by Harry Tucker with his second for the Aussies. The last two goals came up Italy’s way and the margin had burgeoned to eight on the buzzer. Daniel Magasanik scored for his 13th goal and Thomas Lo Re slammed in his third on extra at 5:21 for 14-6. Cora, Lo Re and Giacomone scored the last three Italian goals while the Aussies missed a further two penalty attempts inside the last 90 seconds.

Match Heroes
Giacomone
and Lo Re — his first goals of the week — finished with four apiece. Cora snapped in another three for Italy to lift him to 10. Australia’s Tucker was the only double scorer while Oliver Purcell took in nine saves before being switched inside the final quarter.


Image Source: Tommaso Cora (ITA)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Turning Point
Italy building a 5-1 advantage that set it up for future quarters.

Stats Don’t Lie
Italy was the all-round champ, nailing six from 11 on extra to the Aussies’ three from 15; converting one from two on penalty to Australia’s one from four; 10 steals to five and 42 shots to 35.

Bottom Line
Italy deserves to be in the top eight and showed that today. After all, it only lost to Greece by one, three to Spain and two to Serbia. Today’s success earns a shot at world champion Hungary on Thursday.

Group G Second Round

Match 31, ARGENTINA 8 BRAZIL 14 (3-6, 9-0, 0-3, 5-5)


Image Source: Player of the match Lucas Gomez (BRA)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Brazil won the South American derby by six goals in a match which produced a zero-score quarter, such was the closeness of the teams, fighting for pride and superiority. Alejo Teijeiro opened for Argentina but Brazil banged in the next three goals. Adriana Mazzoni interrupted the Brazilian flow from the deep right just when everyone thought he was going to pass and then Brazil thundered in three more with Andre Freitas and Henrico Martins gaining their second goals. Mazzoni closed the scoring to leave Brazil 6-3 ahead. There were 12 shots in the second quarter without reward with a challenge won and lost by Brazil. Argentinian captain Tobias Deluca was red-carded for a violent action at 6:14, sending him from the pool deck.


Image Source: Lazzaro Conti (ARG)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

The third period opened up for Brazil with Artur Diaz scoring twice — both from centre forward — followed by the 9-3 goal from Carlo Martinelli on penalty. Diaz’s first came off a cross pass from the right. It heated up in the fourth period  as Lucas Wulfhorst brought home his second for the match and 14th goal in total. Goals were traded with Teijeiro twice in the mix either side of a Martinelli strike, rocketing in consecutive-attack goals from the top left, seemingly threading the needle. Joaquin Rosso made it 11-6 from the left post before another Brazilian pair pushed it out to 13-6, Martins claiming a penalty goal. Ivan Saavedra grabbed a couple late in the piece, the first with a shot from the top, rising high out of the water and the second two minutes later on penalty. Martinelli scored his hat-trick from the left-hand-catch position for 14-8.

Match Heroes
Martinelli
and Martins scored three each with the latter reaching 10 goals for the tournament. Lucas Gomes took in 11 saves in goal to be the real star. For Argentina, Teijeiro notched three goals to take him to 15 while Mazzoni and Saavedra scored two each.


Image Source: Luca Ceresa (BRA)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Turning Point
Going from 3-1 to 6-2, gave Brazil the impetus for victory.

Stats Don’t Lie
Brazil was denied all four attempts at extra-man attack with Argentina gaining two from two in the low-fouling match. Brazil, however, nailed all five penalty attempts with Argentina gaining one from one. On steals, Argentina led 8-6 and shots at 35-30.

Bottom Line
Brazil is the bigger powerhouse in South America  and showed that today.

Match 32, SINGAPORE 13 NEW ZEALAND 12 (3-1, 1-3, 5-4, 4-4)


Image Source: Matthias Goh (SGP) scoring the winner/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Singapore led from start to finish and although the match between the Commonwealth nations was level six times, Singapore did enough, scoring the winner one second from the final buzzer. Singapore was on the front foot from the start despite having the first of three penalty shots stopped by the Kiwis’ Zach Martin. The first two goals came from a six-metre shot and the penalty line before Michael Rodgers hammered in one from centre forward for 2-1 at 0:36. Javier Ng scored on extra in the dying seconds for 3-1 to Singapore at the first break. Jacob Clements and captain Cole Phillips (penalty) levelled for the first time. Goals were traded with Zach Martin stopping his second penalty shot.

Ong opened the second half and it set up a mini roll as Singapore claimed three goals for a healthy 8-5 advantage. Ong and two goals to Jaycus See had the Kiwis reeling. Clements (centre forward) and Rodgers (penalty) responded. Chow and Dodunski swapped goals with Dodunski fumbling the ball and recovering to score a second from the buzzer for 9-8 behind.


Image Source: Zach Martin (NZL) stopping a penalty shot/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Dodunski levelled at the start of the fourth period with Matthias Goh, born 2008, converted a penalty with Dodunski replying for 10-10 from the top left. Ong and Goh scored for a two-goal lead by 2:52. New Zealand crucially lost the ball and Singapore called a timeout at 1:50, on the verge of a historic victory over New Zealand. They hardly meet internationally and this was possibly the first time with Singapore in front. Singapore used the clock. New Zealand worked the ball, gained an exclusion and Rodgers scored at 0:50. Singapore played out the time and New Zealand went to a timeout. The first pass was intercepted and Harry Lambert Irwin re-stole the ball, swam up and scored on counter at 0:16. Singapore went to a timeout and went upfield, drew an exclusion and the free-throw man, Goh, swam forward and scored with one second on the clock for 13-12. The Kiwi shot bounced over the crossbar and the younger Singaporeans were the winners.

Match Heroes
Ong
with four goals and three each to Chow and Goh, the ultimate winner. For New Zealand Rodgers banged in four and Dodunski three. Zach Martin made those three penalty saves but only finished with five saves to his record.


Image Source: Captain Cayden Loh (SGP)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Turning Point
By leading 2-0, Singapore maintained the urgency and did not get flustered, even when New Zealand levelled six times.

Stats Don’t Lie
New Zealand nearly controlled the statistics, yet lost. It converted four from six on extra to Singapore’s five from six. New Zealand converted both penalty goals and Singapore two from five. The Kiwis won the steals 13-10 and the shots 30-24.

Bottom Line
Singapore wanted it more and the younger players were fast and sure, especially when it came to shooting. Accuracy outdid quantity with that statistic.

Group H Second Round

Match 33, COLOMBIA 21 SOUTH AFRICA 8 (5-2, 4-4, 6-0, 6-2)


Image Source: Juan Lopez (COL) and Timothy Young (RSA)Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Colombia brought home the goods with a triumphant match over South Africa in the Southern Hemisphere stoush. It was tight in the first half and then Colombia found its stride, packed on the outboard and caught a wave home. Colombia made its mark in the first quarter with a three-goal differential and it could have been higher if a penalty shot had found its mark. Jean Lopez scored twice — the first with a one-two pass on extra at centre forward and the second from a six-metre-foul shot. South Africa responded at 1-1 and 3-2 with a penalty strike and a score off the right-post position. Colombia ripped in the first two goals of the second quarter for a five-goal margin. South Africa won the next stage 4-2 with Timothy Young scoring twice with big shots from outside. At 9-6, South Africa was better placed, although with plenty of work to do. The quarter was squared, South Africa holding off several shots in the dying seconds. One of the best goals came from Juan Zuluaga when he smashed the crossbar, picked up the rebound and scored at the 7-2 mark.


Image Source: Felipe Merino (COL) scoring the opening goalAniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

The second half was where Colombia excelled, keeping South Africa scoreless in the third period as six more goals were stacked on with Enrique Olano netting twice. Come the fourth period, South African captain Karabo Mamaregane blasted from the top for the first African goal 10 minutes. Five more Colombian goals assailed the South African goal with Nick Pearce (RSA) converting a penalty at 20-8 and Kevin Perez scoring his third for Colombia to close all scoring.

Match Heroes
Zuluaga
and Merino scored three each with the former making it 11 in Zagreb and the latter 10. Goalkeeper James Quintero made 11 saves. For South Africa, Young, Pearce and Connor Flinn scored two each.

Turning Point
The third period. It snuffed any chances South Africa had of a tight finish.


Image Source: Warwick Field (RSA) scoring a penalty goal/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Stats Don’t Lie
Colombia scored an amazing 11 from 13 on extra and stopped one of two South African chances. Colombia missed one of three penalty chances and both chances were scored by South Africa. Colombia led steals at 14-6 and shots at 35-26.

Bottom Line
Colombia was on a mission and proved what it is capable of on the big stage. It was a first win here and justly deserved.

Match 34, CANADA 15 KAZAKHSTAN 11 (3-2, 5-5, 4-3, 3-1)


Image Source: Kyson Becker (CAN) defends Adil Baltabekuly (KAZ)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Canada picked up its third victory in Zagreb after a good start, then a stumble and finally re-gathering to take the lead midway through the second quarter, something it never relinquished. Canada went 2-0 and 3-1 in the first quarter before Kazakhstan snared a lucky second goal when Dauren Ali jumped on a rebound in front to score with five seconds remaining. It was his first goal of the week and not his last as he scored the opener of the second quarter. Captain Nurassyl Satbergen scored from centre-forward on extra for the first Kazakhstan lead. Goals were traded to 5-5 and at 3:16, Nicholas Furneaux buried a shot on extra for the 6-5 advantage that was equalised twice before captain Leo Hachem gave Canada the 8-7 score from the top left at 0:38.


Image Source: Harrison Labrosse (CAN)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Canada sent in the first two of the third period for 10-7, a healthier margin. With goals traded to the three-quarter-time buzzer, Kazakhstan had the last laugh but was still two down. Aldiyar Akimbay, who scored twice in the second period, scored twice in the third as well. Canadian Ivan Khramtsov scored his third to start the final quarter at 5:44. It was not until 2:29 that Canada struck again, this time through Adriel Oviedo-Ladik with a right-hand slider for 14-10. Deniz Dronin (KAZ) appeared to sweep-arm a shot in from the deep right for 14-11, but at 2:09 it was late in the piece. Hachem beat the buzzer for the 15-11 score at 0:54 and that was it.

Match Heroes
Khramtsov
and Hachem scored three each for Canada with Harrison Labrosse again in fine form with 13 saves. Akimbay made it four for the match and 10 for the week for Kazakhstan.


Image Source: Ivan Khramtsov (CAN)/Aniko Kovacs/World Aquatics

Turning Point
Breaking free from the 7-7 shackles to 10-7 over the halftime break, gave air time for Canada.

Stats Don’t Lie
Canada converted two from five on extra with Kazakhstan making one from two. Kazakhstan scored the only two penalty chances while Canada made seven steals to five and shot only 28 times to 32.

Bottom Line
Both teams came in with two wins and Canada now has three with more in the offing.

Day 6 Schedule

Group G Round 3
Match 39. 09:00. Brazil v Singapore
Match 40. 10:30.  Argentina v New Zealand

Group H Round 3
Match 41. 12:00. Group H, South Africa v Canada
Match 42. 13:30. Group H, Colombia v Kazakhstan

Round 1-8 Quarterfinals
Match 43. 16:00. Hungary v Italy
Match 44. 17:30. Spain v Montenegro
Match 45. 19:00. Croatia v Greece
Match 46. 20:30. Serbia v United States of America





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