Australia carved what was once a four-goal USA lead down to a two-goal margin on two occasions in the second half of play, but Team USA had a response each time. Maggie Steffens converted a 5-meter penalty shot to scoot the United States ahead 13-10 late in the third. Then, after Australia’s Hannah Buckling cut it to 13-11 early in the fourth, USA’s Kaleigh Gilchrist (Newport Beach, CA/USC/NYAC) delivered a punishing crosscage strike to take Team USA ahead 14-11.
The United States had Johnson go the distance in the cage, and the rangy goalie would anchor the U.S. defense. Two big stops by Johnson in the final couple minutes would help Team USA keep the Aussies at bay to finish out the 14-11 victory.
Team USA went 7/10 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties while Australia went 5/10 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties.
The series resumes for these two teams on Tuesday evening at Fresno State in Fresno, CA. The match will start at 6pm. Tickets are available online and live webcast will be provided. The series will conclude on Thursday evening at Beckman High School in Irvine, CA at 7pm. Tickets for this match are also available. To purchase tickets and for more information on the series, click here.
USA vs. Australia
May 22, 2016 – Uytengsu Aquatics Center (Los Angeles, Calif.)
USA 5 – 5 – 3 – 1 = 14
AUS 4 – 3 – 3 – 1 = 11
SCORING:
USA — Makenzie Fischer 3, Rachel Fattal 2, Maggie Steffens 2, Kaleigh Gilchrist 2, Courtney Mathewson 2, Maddie Musselman, Aria Fischer, KK Clark.
AUS — Rowie Webster 3, Ash Southern 2, Zoe Arancini 2, Hannah Buckling 2, Glencora McGhie, Isobel Bishop
SAVES:
USA — Ashleigh Johnson 11
AUS — Kelsey Wakefield 0, Lea Yantisas 7.
POWER PLAYS:
USA — 7 / 10
ASU — 5 / 10
PENALTY SHOTS: USA — 1 / 1 ASU — 1 / 1
Swimming news courtesy of USA Water Polo.
