Aussies Finish Junior Worlds in Ninth
Following a five week campaign in Europe, the Australian Born ’96 Youth Men’s team have concluded the Youth World Championships with a 10-6 win over Canada in Istanbul, Turkey.
The victory sees the Aussies finish their campaign with two victories to place them ninth at the tournament, the highest finisher of the non European teams.
Keenan Marsden, who only celebrated his 16th birthday two weeks prior to the commencement of the competition, was a standout performer in the victory, managing to score a hat trick of goals in the third quarter.
Canada opened the scoring in the first term courtesy of an extra man play after an early exclusion against Australia’s Luke Pavillard (WAIS). It was the only goal for the quarter with both sides unable to capitalise in further extra man plays.
The second period saw both sides evenly matched to score two goals apiece, as Chris Perrot and Lach Pethick opened the account for the Aussies. Despite the evenness between the two sides, Canada held their narrow 3-2 advantage at half time, courtesy of their opening period of play.
While Canada jumped two goals ahead within the first minute of the third stanza, it was Australia who replied with five unanswered goals. Keenan Marsden started the scoring frenzy as Pavillard and Chris Perrot both joined him to have the Aussie team leading 7-4 at the final break.
The fourth quarter saw the game tighten up again, with both sides playing strongly, only for Australia to outscore Canada 3-2. This time it was Pavillard and Kieran Mulcahy who managed to find the back of the net, ensuring Australia finished their competition with a win.
Pavillard was joined in the Australian squad by fellow WAIS athletes Josh Zekulich, Alex Bogunovich and Lachlan Pethick.
-WaterPoloAus