USA Women's Water Polo Notches 3rd Straight Victory in Russia

 Kirishi, Russia - April 1 - The USA Women's National Team closed out play in the Kirishi Cup with their third straight victory, an 8-7 defeat of Russia. Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/UCLA/NYAC) had a stellar match scoring five goals, while Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC) went the distance in net, posting 12 saves.

The match was scoreless to start until :46 remaining in the opening period when Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/USC/NYAC) got Team USA on the board to grab a 1-0 lead. Russia would score on the next possession and the game was even at 1-1 after the opening quarter. The second period opened with Russia taking the lead less than a minute in, to go up 2-1. Nearly six minutes later Team USA would answer with Mathewson's first goal to event the game at 2-2. Russia answered with a score and took a 3-2 lead into halftime.

Three minutes into the third quarter the United States evened the match on a score from Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford/Olympic Club) making it a 3-3 game. The USA offense and more specifically, Mathewson, dominated for the remainder of the period as she scored three times to give Team USA a 6-4 lead after three periods. Russia scored twice to start the fourth and tied the game at 6-6. Mathewson scored again to put the United States up 7-6. Russia would answer with another goal with 2:20 remaining, and the game was event at 7-7. The United States would have the last word as Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/Santa Barbara WPF) connected for a score with just 1:32 left in the match to give Team USA an 8-7 lead.

Russia would get no closer and Team USA would come away with a one goal win. The United States went 4/4 on power plays while Russia was 2/4 on power plays and 1/1 on penalty shots. "I'm very pleased to close this tournament out on a good defensive note," said Adam Krikorian, USA Head Coach. "I'm also very proud of our composure today in the fourth quarter."

Scoring - Scoresheet
USA 8 (1, 1, 4, 2) C. Mathewson 5, B. Villa 1, K. Craig 1, L. Wenger 1
RUS 7 (1, 2, 1, 3)

Saves - USA - B. Armstrong 12
6x5 - USA - 4/4 - RUS 2/4
Penalties - USA - 0/0 - RUS 1/1 

Greg Mescall
Associate Director of Communications
USA Water Polo
714-500-5455
[email protected]