Shanghai, China – June 12 – The USA Women’s Senior National Team clinched a spot in the medal round of the FINA World League Super Final with a convincing 17-6 win over Russia. Kiley Neushul (Goleta, CA/Stanford/Santa Barbara) scored five goals while Rachel Fattal (Seal Beach, CA/UCLA/SOCAL) added four goals to lead the offense. Ashleigh Johnson (Miami, FL/Princeton/Miami Riptides) recorded 12 saves in net. Team USA moves on to meet the Netherlands on Saturday in semifinal action at 5:40pm local time/2:40am pt.
The United States came out on fire opening up a 4-0 lead after the first eight minutes and then an 8-0 lead at halftime. Russia finally got on the board in the third quarter with three goals but Team USA responded with five more of their own to build a commanding 13-3 lead. In the fourth, the United States offense delivered four more goals and won the match going away 13-6. Team USA went 3/7 on power plays and 2/2 on penalties, both scored by Neushul. Russia was 2/8 on power plays and did not attempt a penalty shot.
“I thought we got some favorable calls and still played well in the first half. We lost our focus in the second half,” said Adam Krikorian, Team USA Head Coach.
Scoring
USA 17 (4, 4, 5, 4) K. Neushul 5, R. Fattal 4, M. Steffens 2, A. Grossman 2, M. Musselman 1, C. Mathewson 1, M. Fischer 1, K. Craig 1
RUS 6 (0, 0, 3, 3)
Saves – USA – A. Johnson 12
6×5 – USA – 3/7 – RUS 2/8
Penalties – USA – 2/2 – RUS 0/0