Americans roll on

The U.S. men’s national water polo team won its second consecutive

game to place first in Group B at the FINA World Championships in

Barcelona, Spain, with a 13-7 victory over Australia on Friday.

The U.S. (2-0-1) never trailed and Australia got as close as 1-1

and 3-3. But the U.S. took a 5-3 lead at halftime and scored eight

second-half goals to only four for Australia.

UC Irvine graduate Ryan Bailey scored the first of his two goals

to begin the scoring four minutes, 49 seconds into the game on a pass

from captain Wolf Wigo.

Former Anteater Omar Amr tallied two goals, one to begin the third

quarter to stretch the U.S. lead to three goals. Australia would get

within three twice more, but no closer.

Dan Klatt and Jeff Powers, two former UCI players, scored single

goals in the second period.

The U.S. will return to action Tuesday against either the

second-place finisher from Group C or the third-place team from Group

D. Germany currently sits in second in Group C while Slovakia is in

third in Group D.

A win Tuesday would propel the U.S. into the medal round July 26.