The Australia Women’s Water Polo Team got the victory when it mattered the most this week at the 2017 FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Intercontinental Tournament. After beating the Australians in the preliminary rounds the day before, team USA fell to the Aussies in the final gold-medal match 10-7.
Both Australia, USA, third-place Canada and fourth-place Japan will compete in the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final June 6-11 in Shanghai. The Chinese team will also get a bid as the host team.
May 7 – AUS 10 USA 7
Davis, CA -The USA Women’s Senior National Team suffered their first loss since May of 2016 as they fell to Australia 10-7 in the gold medal final of the FINA Intercontinental Tournament at the Schaal Aquatics Center on the campus of UC Davis. Aria Fischer (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach HS/SET) and Paige Hauschild (Santa Barbara, CA/San Marcos HS/Santa Barbara 805) scored two goals each in the loss while Georgia Phillips (Fresno, CA/Clovis North HS/Rose Bowl WPC) posted four saves in net. Team USA’s Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford/NYAC) was named tournament MVP. To watch a replay of the match, see below:
A day after rallying to defeat Australia in a shootout Team USA found themselves in a deficit once again trailing 2-0 after the first quarter and 3-0 in the second. They rallied in the second scoring two goals to pull within a goal at 3-2 at halftime. Fischer’s power play goal in the third tied the game at 3-3 but Australia followed with three straight goals for a 6-3 lead. Team USA again climbed out of a hole outscoring Australia 4-1 to tie the game at 7-7 on another Fischer goal, this time with 3:04 to play in the game.
Australia took control from there scoring the final three goals of the game to pull away and take the match 10-7. Team USA went 3/8 on power plays and 1/2 on penalty shots while Australia was 1/5 on power plays and 1/1 on penalty shots.
Photo Courtesy: KLC fotos/USAWP
In other action, Canada claimed the bronze medal defeating Japan 5-2 and Kazakhstan earned fifth place with a 14-7 win over China. Canada’s Jessica Gaudreault was named the top goalkeeper and Australia’s Rowie Webster was the leading scorer of the tournament with 18 goals.
Scoring
USA 7 (0, 2, 1, 4) A. Fischer 2, P. Hauschild 2, M. Seidemann 1, B. Weber 1, J. Roemer 1
AUS 10 (2, 1, 3, 4) E. Armit 4, K. Gofers 3, R. Webster 2, H. Buckling 1
Saves – USA – G. Phillips – 4 – AUS – L. Hedges 9
6×5 – USA – 3/8 – AUS – 1/5
Penalties – USA – 1/2 – AUS – 1/1
The above press release was provided by Greg Mescall and USA Water Polo. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact newsmaster@
Yay
Congratulations