USA Women's Water Polo Squad Earn 7th FINA World League Title
U.S. women snatches 7th World League title
The U.S. women's water polo team successfully defended their fourth consecutive title (and seventh overall) at the 9th FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final, organised in Changshu, China, from May 29 to June 3.
The U.S. women's water polo team successfully defended their fourth consecutive title (and seventh overall) at the 9th FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final, organised in Changshu, China, from May 29 to June 3.
In the decisive match, the Americans proved too good for the Australians, who lost by two goals, 4-6. In the battle for the minor medal, Greece overran host China by one goal for a 8-7 victory.
The final ranking of the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League 2012 is as follows: 1. USA, 2. Australia, 3. Greece, 4. China, 5. Russia, 6. Germany, 7. Canada, 8. Italy.
Coming next: the 11th edition of the FINA Men's Water Polo World League Super Final to take place in Almaty (KAZ) from June 12-17. The final eight will be divided in two groups:
Group A: China, Italy, Kazakhstan, USA
Group B: Australia, Brazil, Croatia, Spain
Group B: Australia, Brazil, Croatia, Spain
Reigning World champion Italy and traditional water polo powerhouses USA and Spain come as strong favourites in the Super Final race.
Follow all reports and results at www.fina.org website
Follow all reports and results at www.fina.org website
USA Women Beat Australian to Win Gold at FINA World League Superfinal
Changshu, China - June 3 - The U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team won their fourth straight FINA World League Super Final Gold Medal with a 6-4 defeat of Australia in Changshu, China. Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/Diablo) and Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET) scored two goals each in the victory while Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC) did the job in net stopping 15 shots.
The two rivals were close early on with Team USA grabbing a 2-1 lead after the first period. In the second, Australia battled back, outscoring the United States 3-1, to take a 4-3 lead at halftime. The United States dominated the second half, especially on the defensive end, where they held Australia without a goal over the final two periods. Team USA added a goal in the third period to tie the match at 4-4 and then in the fourth, tacked on two more scores to take the game, 6-4.
Other scorers for the red, white, and blue included Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford/Olympic Club) and Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/Santa Barbara WPF) who each scored once. Team USA went 1/4 on power plays while Australia went 1/10, neither team attempted a penalty shot.
"Similar to yesterday we played a great second half," said USA Head Coach Adam Krikorian. "Defensively we played very well all tournament, but we certainly understand that this means nothing when we get to the Olympic Games."
Notes: Next up for Team USA will be a four game exhibition series with Hungary in California. The series starts on July 2 at Stanford University and will wrap on July 8 at Corona del Mar High School in a nationally televised game on NBC Sports Network. The teams will also play on July 4 at the USA Water Polo National Training Center in Los Alamitos, CA and at a location to be determined on July 6. Fans have an opportunity to meet the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team this Sunday, June 10, at the Athleta store on Fashion Island in Orange County, CA from 4pm-6pm.
The two rivals were close early on with Team USA grabbing a 2-1 lead after the first period. In the second, Australia battled back, outscoring the United States 3-1, to take a 4-3 lead at halftime. The United States dominated the second half, especially on the defensive end, where they held Australia without a goal over the final two periods. Team USA added a goal in the third period to tie the match at 4-4 and then in the fourth, tacked on two more scores to take the game, 6-4.
Other scorers for the red, white, and blue included Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford/Olympic Club) and Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/Santa Barbara WPF) who each scored once. Team USA went 1/4 on power plays while Australia went 1/10, neither team attempted a penalty shot.
"Similar to yesterday we played a great second half," said USA Head Coach Adam Krikorian. "Defensively we played very well all tournament, but we certainly understand that this means nothing when we get to the Olympic Games."
Notes: Next up for Team USA will be a four game exhibition series with Hungary in California. The series starts on July 2 at Stanford University and will wrap on July 8 at Corona del Mar High School in a nationally televised game on NBC Sports Network. The teams will also play on July 4 at the USA Water Polo National Training Center in Los Alamitos, CA and at a location to be determined on July 6. Fans have an opportunity to meet the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team this Sunday, June 10, at the Athleta store on Fashion Island in Orange County, CA from 4pm-6pm.
Scoring
USA 6 (2, 1, 1, 2) M. Steffens 2, A. Dries 2, B. Villa 1, K. Craig 1
AUS 4 (1, 3, 0, 0)
Saves - USA - B. Armstrong - 15
6x5 - USA - 1/4 - AUS 1/10
Penalties - USA - 0/0 - AUS - 0/0
