The USA Men’s National Team will play for gold against Italy at the 2019 World University Games Sunday.
The team defeated Hungary 12-9 in semifinal action Saturday. UC San Diego players Jack Turner and Kacper Langiewicz contributed to the win. Turner had 13 saves and Langiewicz scored the team’s first two goals.
The comeback victory assures Team USA of a medal at the games for the first time since 2015 when UCLA, competing as Team USA, earned bronze. They’ll be looking for their first gold medal in the event since winning back-to-back titles in 1991 and 1993.
Team USA plays Italy at 4 a.m. Sunday, with live streaming available via fisu.tv.
In the semi-final, Hungary led early on, building a 3-1 lead in the first quarter and a 6-3 lead in the second quarter.
Team USA battled back, scoring with under three minutes to play in the first half to make it 6-5. Hungary led by two at halftime and then 8-6 in the third quarter. The U.S. rallied once again, this time tying the match at 8-8.
The surge continued in the fourth quarter as the U.S. built a 10-8 lead. Hungary closed to within a goal at 10-9 with under three minutes to play, but the U.S. added two more goals to cap the victory.
– Staff reports
