Dos Pueblos junior Blake Parrish scored a goal for the USA men’s water polo team in a 9-8 loss to Brazil in the gold medal game of the UANA Youth Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Saturday.
Parrish and the U.S. squad earned the silver medal.
Brazil got off to a hot start with a 3-0 lead after the first period and took a 5-1 lead at halftime. Team USA battled back in the third, outscoring Brazil 5-1 to even the game at 6-6. Brazil came back in the fourth with three more goals and the United States could only muster two goals, falling 9-8. Team USA went 2/6 on power plays.
“Although we were disappointed in the outcome of the final game, we were very pleased as a staff in the growth of our athletes throughout the course of the tournament,” said USA Head Coach Zac Koerner. “Many athletes competed for the first time internationally and gained invaluable experience. We are very excited to watch these young men grow in their water polo careers.”
The United States team won six of eight matches during the tournament. Both losses came from Brazil, who defeated the Americans 15-13 before the medal rounds.
Parrish also scored a goal in USA’s 8-6 semifinal victory.
Kent Inoue led the team in scoring, tallying eight goals in the final two matches.
