USA Water Polo Women's Junior National Team won gold at FINA Junior World Champs

Volos, Greece - August 25 - The USA Water Polo Women's Junior National Team won gold at the 2013 FINA Women's Junior World Championship topping Spain 9-7. Kiley Neushulscored three goals to lead Team USA on offense. Rachel Fattal was named tournament MVP while Ashleigh Johnson was named top goalkeeper. The gold medal marks the third FINA Junior World Championship for the USA Women joining titles in 2001 and 2005. To watch a replay of the match on-demand, click here. For a complete tournament schedule, click here.

Ashley Grossman started the scoring off for the United States, finding the cage a little over two minutes into the match for a 1-0 lead. Spain came back with a goal moments later to tie the match at 1-1 with 5:05 to go in the period. Team USA went back in front with a goal from Donohoe to take a 2-1 after the first quarter.

The United States started to get on a roll in the second, scoring three straight goals to begin the period. Donohoe scored first, followed by two goals from Neushul for a 5-1 lead with :40 left in the first half. Spain followed with a goal on their next possession but the United States had the last word on a score from Makenzie Fischer with just seven seconds left to take a 6-2 halftime lead.

Spain battled back in the third, scoring three straight goals to open the second half, trailing 6-5 with 5:19 left in the third. Fattal stopped the run, scoring a crucial goal with 2:24 left to build a 7-5 lead after three quarters. Spain scored first to start the fourth getting to within 7-6 with 5:32 to go in the match. The United States scored two straight goals to put the match away with less than three minutes left. Neushul and Fattal found the cage and Team USA went up 9-6 with 2:11 to go in the match. Spain would score a goal in the final seconds but it would not factor in the decision.

Greece topped Russia 7-6 to win the bronze medal.

Scoring - Scoresheet

USA 9 (2, 4, 1, 2) K. Neushul 3, E. Donohoe 2, R. Fattal 2, M. Fischer 1, A. Grossman 1

ESP 7 (1, 1, 3, 2)

Greg Mescall

Director of Communications

USA Water Polo

714-500-5455

[email protected]

2124 Main Street, Ste. 240

Huntington Beach, CA 92648

www.usawaterpolo.org