Courtesy: USA Water Polo
USA Men 7 Australia 6 – Full Replay
Lima, Peru – March 13 – The USA Men’s National Team avenged a loss to Australia earlier in the FINA Intercontinental Cup when it mattered most. Team USA defeated the Aussies 7-6 in the gold medal final earlier today in Peru. Chase Dodd scored three goals and was named MVP of the title bout. Drew Holland recorded 11 saves and was named top goalkeeper of the tournament. A full replay of the match is available below.
The two sides were even to start, level at 2-2 after the first quarter. Team USA took the edge in the second with a 3-2 lead going into halftime. In the third quarter the United States built on their lead outscoring Australia 3-2 to go in front 6-4 after three. Tommy Gruwell put Team USA in front 7-4 early in the fourth quarter and the red, white and blue were able to hold off a final charge from Australia to secure the one goal win.
Team USA did the bulk of their work on natural goals as they went 1/6 on power plays with no penalties attempted. Australia was 4/8 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties.
Scoring
USA 7 (2. 1, 3, 1) C. Dodd 3, T. Gruwell 2, T. Abramson 1, S. Rhodes 1
AUS 6 (2, 0, 2, 2) L. Pavillard 3, B. Edwards 1, N. Power 1, A. Grgurevic 1
Saves – USA – D. Holland 11 – AUS – N. Porter 7
6×5 – USA – 1/6 – AUS – 4/8
Penalties – USA – 0/0 – AUS 1/1
Australia 11 USA Women 4 (Round Robin Tournament Final) Full Replay
Lima, Peru – March 13 – The USA Women’s National Team took home bronze at the FINA Intercontinental Cup following a final day loss to Australia, 11-4. Emily Ausmus scored twice in the loss with Amanda Longan adding 8 saves in net as Team USA wraps play in Peru with a 4-2 record. Longan, an Olympic gold medalist, earned top goalkeeper of the tournament honors.
Photo: USA Water Polo.
Australia got off to the hot start opening up a 3-0 lead after the first quarter. Team USA had a strong second quarter holding the Aussies scoreless while getting on the board with a goal to trail 3-1 at halftime. The third quarter was more even up with Australia outscoring Team USA 3-2 to take a 6-3 lead going to the fourth. The final quarter was the deciding factor as Australia surged ahead with a five goal burst to take the match 11-4. Team USA went 2/7 on power plays with no penalties attempted while Australia went 2/4 on power plays and 2/3 on penalties.
Scoring
USA 4 (0, 1, 2, 1) E. Ausmus 2, J. Flynn 1, M. Netherton 1
AUS 11 (3, 0, 3, 5) B. McClean 4, Z. Arancini 3, P. Casey 1, C. Andrews 1, T. Fasala 1, L. Mihailovic 1
Saves – USA – A. Longan 8 – AUS – G. Palm 6
6×5 – USA – 2/7 – AUS – 2/4
Penalties – USA – 0/0 – AUS – 2/3