WATER POLO: USA Women Win Holiday Cup With 13-5 Victory Over Greece

The USA Women’s National Team won the 2013 Holiday Cup following a 13-5 win over Greece earlier today. The victory capped a 5-0 run at the tournament for the United States as they prepare for the FINA World Cup qualifier this week with Canada. Rachel Fattal (Seal Beach, CA/UCLA/SOCLA) scored four goals including three in the fourth period to lead the USA offensive attack. Sami Hill (Santa Barbara, CA/UCLA/SBWPF) recorded 10 saves in net to lead the defense. For complete Holiday Cup results, click here.

Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/SBWPF) got things started just twenty seconds into the game with a goal for a 1-0 USA lead. Greece answered with a tally less than two minutes later to even the match but Kiley Neushul (Goleta, CA/Stanford/SBWPF) found the net on a power play on the next USA possession for a 2-1 lead.

Early in the second period Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford/Stanford) helped build the USA lead with two straight goals to go ahead 4-1. Greece started to battle back connecting on a power play goal with eleven seconds left in the half for a 4-2 game at intermission.

Greece continued their rally early in the third period scoring two straight goals to even the game at 4-4 with 5:16 left in the period. The United States took over there. Annika Dries(Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET) scored in close to put the United States back in front 5-4 with 4:13 left in the third. With 1:20 left in the period Fattal scored on a power play on a quick pass from Seidemann for a 6-4 lead. With just two seconds left in the period Kaleigh Gilchrist (Newport Beach, CA/USC/Trojan) scored from distance for a 7-4 lead after the third period.

Less than thirty seconds into the fourth Craig got loose inside for a goal and an 8-4 lead. Greece came back with a goal moments later for an 8-5 game but they would get no closer. After that the United States broke the game open. Fattal scored three straight goals to take an 11-5 lead with 3:32 remaining in the match. Lolo Silver (Long Beach, CA/Stanford/NYAC) buried an outside shot and Kiley Neushul followed up with a tally for a 13-5 advantage with just :55 remaining. The United States would go on to win the match 13-5 and claim the Holiday Cup crown.

Team USA went 3/6 on power plays while Greece was 4/8 and neither side attempted a penalty shot. In earlier Holiday Cup action the Netherlands defeated Russia 10-7 and Canada topped Australia 8-7. For complete Holiday Cup results,click here.

Scoring – Scoresheet
USA 13 (2, 2, 3, 6) R. Fattal 4, K. Craig 2, M. Seidemann 2, K. Neushul 2, A. Dries 1, K. Gilchrist 1, L. Silver 1
GRE 5 (1, 1, 2, 1)
Saves – USA – S. Hill 10
6×5 – USA 3/6 – GRE – 4/8
Penalties – USA 0/0 – GRE 0/0

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