Courtesy: USA Water Polo
Athens, Greece – June 16 – The USA Women’s National Team finished group play undefeated at the FINA World League Super Final following an 18-9 win over Spain earlier today. Team USA takes the top spot in Group B and will take on Japan tomorrow in the quarterfinal round currently scheduled for 1:15pm et/10:15am pt. Rachel Fattal led the way with five goals and earned player of the game honors while captain Maggie Steffens added four goals in the win. Ashleigh Johnson recorded eight saves in goal for Team USA. Follow live stats by clicking here, live streaming will be available for viewers in the United States starting on Friday, via FloSports.
Team USA took a quick lead in the first behind goals from Fattal and Makenzie Fischer to go ahead 2-0 halfway through the quarter. After Spain answered with a goal, the United States responded with a score from Maddie Musselman followed not long after by another Fattal goal for a 4-2 lead after one. Maggie Steffens and Musselman opened the second with tallies to push the lead to 6-2. Spain drew to within three at 6-3 with 5:43 left in the first half only to see Team USA return fire with four straight goals, two coming from Fattal. Spain battled back at the end of the half with two straight goals to make it 10-5 at intermission.
Judith Forca scored one of her five goals on a penalty shot to open the third, then Bea Ortiz followed with a power play connect and it was a three-goal match at 10-7. As they did throughout the first half, Team USA responded in a major way. Four straight American goals followed, two from Steffens, while holding Spain scoreless for a 14-7 lead going to the fourth. The United States halted any comeback plans by Spain, connecting on three straight goals to open the period. Makenzie Fischer, Melissa Seidemann and Aria Fischer all found the back of the net for a 17-7 lead with 5:35 left in the match. Spain would add two more goals, another arrived from Seidemann but the result was decided, Team USA took it by a final score of 18-9.
Team USA went 6/14 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties while Spain was 2/9 on power plays and 2/2 on penalties.
Scoring – Stats
USA 18 (4, 6, 4, 4) R. Fattal 5, M. Steffens 4, M. Fischer 3, M. Musselman 3, M. Seidemann 2, A. Fischer 1
ESP 9 (2, 3, 2, 2) J. Forca 5, B. Ortiz 2, E. Ruiz 1, I. Gonzalez 1
Saves – USA – A. Johnson 8, A. Longan 1 ESP – L. Ester 4
6×5 – USA – 6/14 – ESP – 2/9
Penalties – USA – 1/1 – ESP – 2/2
