The USA Women’s National Team advanced to the semifinals of the FINA Women’s Intercontinental Tournament with a 17-0 victory over Japan. Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/Santa Barbara) led the attack with six goals in the win while Carlee Kapana (Newport Beach, CA/Newport Harbor HS/Newport) earned the victory in net with three saves. Team USA now moves on to meet Canada in the semifinals on Saturday at 7:30pm local New Zealand time/12:30am pacific time.
This match was never in doubt as Team USA built a 4-0 lead after the first quarter and then doubled that effort in the second quarter with eight goals and a 12-0 lead at intermission. The United States added five more goals in the second half all while keeping Japan scoreless on the way to the win. Maddie Musselman (Newport Beach, CA/Corona del Mar HS/CdM Aquatics), Makenzie Fischer (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach HS/SET), and Aria Fischer (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach HS/SET) added to the scoring parade with two goals each.
Team USA went 6/11 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties while Japan was 0/6 on power plays and did not attempt a penalty shot. Team USA added 23 steals on the day.
Scoring
USA 17 (4, 8, 2, 3) K. Craig 6, M. Musselman 2, M. Fischer 2, A. Fischer 2, C. Mathewson 1, K. Gilchrist 1, P. Hauschild 1, C. O’Donnell 1, K. Clark 1
JPN 0 (0, 0, 0, 0)
Saves – USA – C. Kapana 3
6×5 – USA – 6/11 – JPN 0/6
Penalties – USA – 1/1 – JPN 0/0
Water Polo News is courtesy of USA Water Polo.