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, click here. For more information on the tournament, click here.
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.
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
News courtesy of USA Water Polo.