Briefs: Cupido wins it for Team USA

CHICAGO — Newport Harbor High alumnus Luca Cupido scored the game-winning goal at the buzzer as the U.S. men’s senior national water polo team defeated Serbia, 14-13, to complete a four-game sweep Tuesday night at the University of Illinois.

Cupido, who now plays at Cal, also scored the winning goal with two seconds left as Team USA beat Serbia, 11-10, on Sunday night at El Toro High. Team USA also beat Serbia, 12-10, on June 2 at UC San Diego and 9-5 on June 4 at the Riverside Aquatics Complex.

Cupido scored four goals Tuesday night, tying him for team-high honors with Bret Bonnani.

Corona del Mar High alumnus John Mann also is a key player for Team USA.

The four-game series with Serbia served as a tune-up for both teams for the FINA World League Super Final later this month in Bergamo, Italy. The winner of the Super Final earns an automatic berth to the 2016 Olympic Games.

— From staff reports

—

Musselman scores twice in Super Final win

SHANGHAI, China — Former Corona del Mar High star Maddie Musselman scored twice as the U.S. women’s senior national water polo team beat Brazil, 16-3, on Tuesday in its first game at the FINA World League Super Final.

Newport Harbor product Kaleigh Gilchrist scored once for Team USA, coming off a gold medal win at last week’s Kunshan Cup in China. Laguna Beach star Makenzie Fischer had a team-high three goals Tuesday.

Team USA resumes play at the FINA World League Super Final on Wednesday against rival Canada.

— From staff reports

—

UCI’s Hiura lauded

UC Irvine freshman Keston Hiura added another Freshman All-American honor, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Assn. named the outfielder a first-team pick.

Hiura, the Big West Conference Freshman Field Player of the Year, batted .330 with a conference-best 52 runs batted in and belted seven home runs, a UCI freshman record.

He led the team with 75 hits, 18 doubles and 118 total bases, while slugging .520 and scoring 40 runs. He had one stolen base and collected six outfield assists, double his error total.

Hiura, honored previously as a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball, was a first-team All-Big West honoree and helped the Anteaters finish 33-23.

— From staff reports