WATER POLO: USA Women Open 2013 Holiday Cup With 12-9 Victory Over The Netherlands

The USA Women’s Senior National Team got off to a good start at the 2013 Holiday Cup, topping the Netherlands 12-9 at Foothill High School. Behind four goals from Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford/Stanford) and 10 saves from Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC), Team USA never trailed en route to the victory. The United States is back in action tomorrow evening when they meet Canada at 8:30pm pt. Tickets for the Holiday Cup are available at the door.

The first quarter was all Team USA as they jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead. Rachel Fattal (Seal Beach, CA/UCLA/SOCAL) started off with a score and then Seidemann ripped the net from deep for an early lead. The Netherlands got on the board with a power play strike with 3:58 to go in the period to trail 2-1. Team USA had an answer with two straight goals to close out the period. KK Clark (Menlo Park, CA/UCLA/NYAC) hit on a power play and then Alys Williams (Huntington Beach, CA/UCLA/HBWPC) buried a shot with just :12 left in the period for a 4-1 advantage.

The Netherlands came back strong in second period. The Dutch scored three of the first four goals in the period, sandwiching their efforts around another Clark goal to get within 5-4 with 4:25 to go in the half. Williams added her second of the day and Seidemann scored less than a minute later to rebuild a three goal lead at 7-4 with 2:06 to play. The Netherlands had the last word in half scoring with :18 left to trail 7-5 at halftime.

Seidemann kept it rolling in the third, scoring the first goal of the period less than thirty seconds in for an 8-5 lead. The Netherlands picked up some momentum halting a penalty shot try and then following up with a goal to draw to within 8-6. Jillian Kraus (Santa Ana, CA/UCLA/SOCAL) answered on the next USA possession with a power play strike for a 9-6 lead. The Netherlands scored two of the next three to close out the period and kept things close trailing 10-8 going to the fourth.

Much like the third period, Seidemann started off the fourth with a goal. The Netherlands answered with a goal on their next possession but would get no closer. Fattal connected for a power play goal with 2:37 left in the match and the United States went ahead 12-9. They would take the match by the same score and move to 1-0 in Holiday Cup play.

Team USA went 4/6 on power plays and 0/1 on penalty shots while the Netherlands went 6/8 on power plays and 1/1 on penalty tries.

In earlier Holiday Cup action Russia defeated Canada 15-12 and Greece edged Australia 8-6. Full tournament information including results and scoresheets can be accessed by clicking here.

Scoring – Scoresheet
USA 12 (4, 3, 3, 2) M. Seidemann 4, A. Williams 2, R. Fattal 2, K. Clark 1, J. Kraus 1, P. Orozco 1
NED 9 (1, 4, 3, 1)
Saves – USA – B. Armstrong 10
6×5 – USA – 4/6 – NED – 6/8
Penalties – USA – 0/1 – NED 1/1

This release was provided to SwimSwam courtesy of USA Water Polo.

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About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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