Courtesy: USA Water Polo
Full stats are available via thefosh.net. Next up, Hungary comes to town for a three-game series starting May 25. More details coming soon.
After playing two matches both teams had learned a lot about each other and it was on full display in a tight first quarter. After Maddie Musselman scored to open the game Canada found a quick equalizer to make it 1-1. From there it was Canada who scored again to take their first lead of the series as Axelle Crevier fired in one on the power play. Team USA didn’t let Canada pull away as the teams exchanged goals throughout the rest of the quarter with Canada grabbing a 4-3 lead at intermission. Trailing for the first time in the series, Team USA regrouped and found a quick equalizer as Steffens drew a penalty and Makenzie Fischer finished to make it 4-4. Team USA then scored another off of a penalty goal with Steffens delivering this time to retake the lead at 5-4. Both teams scored one more goal in the quarter as Team USA took a 6-5 halftime lead.
Team USA continued to build on their momentum in the third as they came out firing on all cylinders scoring four straight goals to take a 10-5 lead. It was Canada’s turn to find an answer as they scored back to back goals to bring the score to 10-7. Team USA didn’t let Canada back into the game as they scored two more times on goals from Jordan Raney and Steffens to take a 12-7 lead at the end of the third. Team USA’s defense continued to shine in the fourth as they kept Canada off the scoreboard. Meanwhile Steffens stole the show on offense feeding Makenzie Fischer to start the quarter and scoring one herself as Team USA prevailed 15-7.
Team USA went 4/10 on power plays and 2/2 on penalty shots while Canada was 5/9 on power plays and did not attempt a penalty.
Scoring
USA 15 (3, 3, 7, 2)
CAN 7 (4, 1, 2, 0)
USA: M. Steffens 4, M. Musselman 3, M. Fischer 2, A. Williams 2, J. Raney 2, P. Hauschild 1, A. Fischer 1
CAN: G. Sohi 2, H. McKelvey 2, A. Crevier 1, E. Lemay-Lavoie 1, K. Paul 1
Saves – USA – A. Johnson 12 – CAN – C. Wright – 5, C. Vulpisi 1
6-on-5 – USA – 4/10 – CAN – 5/9
Penalties – USA 2/2 – CAN – 0/0