LONG ISLAND ? The United States Men’s Water Polo Team took the lead in the standings after the first day of competition at the 1998 Goodwill Games. The U.S. defeated Italy, 7-4, while Russia and Spain battled to a 7-7 tie.

Italy jumped to a 1-0 lead less than 30 seconds into the match when Alberto Angelini converted a breakaway following a U.S. turnover. Brad Schumacher, Bowie, Md., tied the count late in the frame with an extra-man goal. Raffaele Onofrietti put Italy ahead 44 seconds into the second quarter, but Wolf Wigo, New York, N.Y., answered with a goal at 4:25. Another United States turnover led to Angelini’s second fast break score with just 15 seconds remaining in the half.

Schumacher tied the count at 3-3 with another extra-man goal, and Brent Albright, Lompoc, Calif., put the U.S. in the lead at 2:14. A long-distance shot by Leonardo Binchi knotted the score at 4-4, but Jeremy Pope, Fresno, Calif., put the U.S. ahead to stay with an extra-man goal with 16 seconds left in the third period. Albright opened the scoring in the final quarter with a no-look backhander and captain Chris Oeding, Newport Beach, Calif., put the finishing touches on the U.S. victory with a goal from nine meters out.

United States goalkeeper Dan Hackett, Irvine, Calif., was superb in the net, tallying 13 saves.

In the evening’s opening match, Spain and Russia played evenly throughout the contest. The score was tied six times, with only Spain taking a two goal lead at 4-2 early in the second quarter. Ivan Perez, Daniel Ballart and Ivan Moro each scored twice for Spain while Revaz Tchomakhidze tallied three times for Russia, including the game-tying goal with 5:30 remaining.

The United States sits atop the standings with two points, Russia and Spain have one point each and Italy has zero points. Round robin competition concludes Tuesday with the medal round contests on Wednesday.

Tuesday’s schedule: Russia-Italy 1:00pm; United States-Spain 2:30pm;