Volos, Greece – August 22 – The USA Women’s Junior National Team will have the opportunity to repeat as champions at the FINA Women’s Junior World Championship. Team USA topped Russia 13-11 earlier today in the semifinal round to advance to the gold medal final. Mary Brooks scored four goals in the win while Amanda Longan recorded 14 saves in net. The United States will take on Spain for gold on Sunday at 10am pt. The match will be webcast live and can be viewed by clicking here.
Russia went ahead early in this match taking a 2-0 and 3-1 lead in the first quarter before Team USA rallied. Brooks scored two of her four goals in the first to help the United States grab a 4-3 lead after the first eight minutes. Brooks kept at in the second period scoring two more goals as the United States took control building a 7-4 lead.
Russia battled back in the third period scoring two straight goals to open the period and close the match to within a goal at 7-6. Makenzie Barr, Jamie Neushul, Aria Fischer and Jordan Raney scored four of the next six goals to go ahead 11-8 after three periods.
Barr scored again to lead off the fourth to put the United States ahead 12-8. Stephanie Mutafayan followed with a score at the 5:01 mark to give Team USA a 13-9 lead. Russia tried one last rally scoring two goals in the final two minutes but the margin was too great as the United States took the 13-11 victory.
Scoring – Scoresheet
USA 13 (4, 3, 4, 2) M. Brooks 4, M. Barr 3, A. Fischer 2, J. Neushul 2, J. Raney 1, S. Mutafayan 1
RUS 11 (3, 1, 4, 3) A. Simanovich 4, M. Borisova 3, O. Trotskaya 1, D. Ryzhkova 1, V. Kolmakova 1, A. Kravchenko 1
Saves – USA – A. Longan – 14
5×4 – USA – 7/8 – RUS – 4/5
Penalties – USA – 1/1 – RUS – 0/0
Swimming news courtesy of USA Water Polo.