The United States opened their three-game series against Montenegro with a narrow 12-11 victory at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa.
Ben Liechty led the American attack with four goals, while Marko Vavic scored twice. Goalkeepers Adrian Weinberg and Bernardo Herzer combined for ten saves as the hosts held off Montenegro in a tense finish.
Montenegro made the stronger start, converting an early penalty before Liechty opened the scoring for Team USA. Peter Castillo, Chase Dodd and Vavic also found the net, but Montenegro converted another penalty to lead 5-4 after an entertaining opening quarter.
The United States turned the contest around before halftime. Ryan Ohl finished a fast counterattack, while Liechty completed his four-goal haul as the Americans restricted Montenegro to two goals in the period. That gave Team USA an 8-7 advantage at the interval.
Nicolas Saveljic and Hannes Daube extended the American tally during the third quarter, with Daube scoring from long range. Montenegro responded with two goals of its own, ensuring only one separated the teams heading into the final eight minutes.
Dylan Woodhead struck early in the fourth quarter before Montenegro quickly replied. Vavic then restored the United States’ two-goal cushion, but another Montenegrin goal reduced the deficit to 12-11.
Neither side managed to score during the closing stages as the American defence protected the narrow advantage and secured the opening victory of the series.
Montenegro’s Strahinja Gojkovic finished as his team’s leading scorer with three goals, while Nikola Moskov and Jovan Vujovic contributed two apiece.
Team USA converted two of eight extra-player opportunities, while Montenegro finished two from seven and scored both of its penalty shots.
The teams will meet again at the Woollett Aquatics Center on Sunday, June 28, before completing the series on Tuesday, June 30.
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