Water Polo Briefs: Team USA men’s polo headed to Olympic Games

TORONTO, Canada — Newport Harbor High graduate Luca Cupido scored three goals, including the eventual game-winner, as the U.S. men’s senior national water polo team edged Canada, 9-8, on Monday to advance to the gold medal match of the Pan American Games and clinch a berth for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Team USA will play Brazil in the gold medal match Wednesday at 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Regardless of the result, Team USA has an automatic Olympic berth to Rio de Janeiro, as Brazil automatically qualifies as the host country.

Cupido scored with 1:38 remaining against Canada to give the U.S. a 9-6 lead. Canada scored two late goals but could not get the equalizer.

Corona del Mar High graduate John Mann also helped the U.S. qualify, drawing a penalty shot in the fourth quarter that Tony Azevedo converted. Alex Bowen scored twice for the Americans, while Merrill Moses made 17 saves in goal.

— From staff reports

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Team USA women win gold

TORONTO, Canada — Newport Harbor High graduate Kaleigh Gilchrist and Corona del Mar’s Maddie Musselman each scored a goal as the U.S. women’s senior national water polo team dominated Canada, 13-4, on Tuesday to win gold at the Pan American Games.

Musselman also had a steal and two field blocks for Team USA, while Gilchrist had an assist.

Courtney Mathewson and Maggie Steffens led Team USA with four goals each. It is the fourth straight Pan Am Games title for the Team USA women.

— From staff reports

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Turnbow-Lindenstadt earns honor

Newport Beach resident Connor Turnbow-Lindenstadt was named the Best Offensive Player in the 16-and-under age group at the Ironman Water Polo League Super Final, which concluded Sunday in Palo Alto.

Turnbow-Lindenstadt played for Del Mar, which finished sixth overall in the 16U division, which was won by Foothill.

Corona del Mar got 12th in the 16U division, and 14th in the 18U division.

CdM and Newport Harbor will play in the California State High School Championships this weekend. The USA Water Polo Junior Olympics begin July 25.

— From staff reports