Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – November 13 – The USA Women’s Senior National Team kept up their winning ways defeating the Netherlands 13-6 earlier today to open play at the Water Polo In Rio exhibition tournament. The two had most recently met in the gold medal final at the FINA World Championship where Team USA won 5-4. In this match Makenzie Fischer (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach HS/SET) scored four goals of her own to lead the USA offense while KK Clark (Menlo Park, CA/UCLA/NYAC) tallied three scores. Ashleigh Johnson (Miami, FL/Princeton/NYAC) recorded five saves in net for the win. Team USA returns to play tomorrowagainst Australia at 3:30am pacific time. For a complete USA schedule in Rio, click here.
The first period was a close one as the United States led by just a goal at 4-3 after the opening eight minutes. From there the United States turned it on, adding five goals in the second period for a 9-5 lead at intermission. In the third Team USA put the match away outscoring the Dutch 3-1 to build a 12-6 advantage going to the fourth. In the final eight minutes the defense took over as the Netherlands were held scoreless as the United States rolled to the 13-6 victory.
The United States went 3/7 on power plays and did not attempt a penalty while the Netherlands went 2/4 on power plays and 1/1 on penalty shots.
Scoring
USA 13 (4, 5, 3, 1) M. Fischer 4, K. Clark 3, M. Musselman 2, M. Steffens 1, K. Neushul 1, A. Grossman 1, C. Mathewson 1
NED 6 (3, 2, 1, 0)
Saves – USA – A. Johnson 5
6×5 – USA – 3/7 – NED 2/4
Penalties – USA – 0/0 – NED 1/1
Swimming news courtesy of USA Water Polo.
