In the win over Spain Team USA was powered by five goals from Kiley Neushul (Goleta, CA/Santa Barbara, CA/Santa Barbara) and four from Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/NYAC). Gabby Stone (La Jolla, CA/Stanford/SD Shores) earned the win in net stopping nine shots.
Steffens opened the scoring in the first to put the United States up 1-0. After Spain scored the United States turned toRachel Fattal (Seal Beach, CA/UCLA/SOCAL) to make it 2-1 after the first quarter. Spain would score three of the next four goals to go up 4-3 late in the first half only to see Neushul score with :39 left in the period for a tie game at halftime.
The teams continued to trade goals in the second half until Neushul scored two straight to give the United States an 8-6 advantage with 5:47 left in the fourth period. Team USA looked in control when Steffens scored to make it 9-7 with 4:52to play but Spain rallied with two straight from Judith Forca to tie the game at 9-9 and force a shootout.
In the shootout both sides traded goals until Spain failed to convert on their second shooter and Team USA failed on their third shooter. After the rest of the shots were made the shootout went to a sixth round where Spain did not convert on their first attempt. Neushul delivered for Team USA securing the victory.
Team USA went 5/11 on power plays and 1/1 on penalty shots while Spain was 7/14 on power plays and did not attempt a penalty.
Scoring – Scoresheet
USA 14 (2, 2, 3, 2) (5) K. Neushul 5, M. Steffens 4, R. Fattal 2, K. Gilchrist 1, K. Craig 1, M. Seidemann 1
ESP 13 (1, 3, 2, 3) (4) J. Forca 3, R. Tarrago 2, J. Pareja 2, L. Lopez 2, A. Espar 1, M. Bach 1, M. Ortiz 1, M. Garcia 1
Saves – USA – G. Stone 9 – ESP – M. Sanchez 2, L. Ramos 1
6×5 – USA – 5/11 – ESP – 7/14
Penalties – USA – 1/1 – ESP 0/0
Swimming news courtesy of USA Water Polo.
