Bailey, Hutten score in upset win over Croatia

BEIJING — Former UC Irvine All-Americans Ryan Bailey and Tim Hutten each scored a goal to help the U.S. men’s water polo team upset Croatia, 7-5, Saturday in the Olympic Games at the Yingdong Natatorium to move into a first-place tie in Group B with one group match remaining.

Croatia, ranked No. 1 in the world, was handed its first loss in four matches, while Team USA also improved to 3-1. A win over Germany (2-2) in the Group B finale Monday would give the Americans the top spot in the six-team group.

Bailey clinched the victory by finalizing the scoring with a man-advantage goal with 1 minute, 33 seconds left in the game.

Hutten scored from five meters with 2:39 left in the first half to put the Americans up, 5-2.

Team USA, ranked No. 9 in the world, also includes former Anteaters Rick Merlo and Jeff Powers.

Powers has three goals on 12 shots in four games with six steals and three blocked shots.

Hutten has two goals in five shots and has added three steals.

Bailey has two goals in nine shots with one assist and three blocks, while Merlo has one goal in three shots and has contributed one steal and one blocked shot.

— From staff reports