CdM’s Pulice scores seven as Team USA wins again in Serbia

Corona del Mar High incoming sophomore Tanner Pulice scored seven goals as the USA Water Polo Cadet national team blanked Moldova, 21-0, on Thursday at the Darko Cukic Memorial Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia.

Pulice, an attacker, helped Team USA improve to 3-0 in the tournament. He is one of three local players on the Cadet roster, along with Newport Harbor incoming sophomore center Ike Love and center defender Reed Stemler. Love scored twice in Thursday’s win, with Stemler scoring one goal.

Earlier in the tournament, the United States beat Slovakia, 9-5, and Malta, 13-5. Pulice and Love each scored twice in the win over Slovakia, and Pulice’s three goals against Malta tied him for the team lead. Love also scored a goal against Malta.

Team USA is scheduled for two games in the Darko Cukic tournament Friday, playing against Australia at 2:10 a.m. Pacific time and against host Serbia at 9:50 a.m.

Team USA plays against the Netherlands on Saturday, and the championship game is scheduled for Sunday.

The tournament is known as the unofficial international championship for boys 15 and under. Nikola Malezanov is coaching the U.S. team.

matthew.szabo@latimes.com

Twitter: @mjszabo