Shanghai, China – June 11 – The USA Women’s National Team will have the opportunity to defend their FINA World League Super Final gold medal after defeating China 11-5. In the win over China, four different players scored two goals each to pace the United States attack including Rachel Fattal (Seal Beach, CA/UCLA/SOCLA), Alys Williams(Huntington Beach, CA/UCLA/HBWPC), Makenzie Fischer (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach HS/SET) and Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/NYAC).
Ashleigh Johnson (Miami, FL/Princeton/NYAC) did the job in net turning aside 13 shots. The win over China is expected to air today on beIN Sports during semifinals coverage starting at 6pm et/3pm pt. Team USA now moves on to the gold medal final on Sunday where they will meet Spain at 7pm local time/4am pt. The match is expected to be streamed on beIN Sports 8 and air on delay on beIN Sports main channel at 9am et/6pm pt. Cable authentication is required for streaming, to access click here.
Team USA jumped out to a strong start opening up a 3-1 lead after the first period and a 5-2 lead at halftime. China kept things even in the third quarter as each side scored two goals apiece leaving the United States ahead 7-4 going to the fourth quarter. The United States pulled away in the fourth quarter outscoring China 4-1 to take the 11-5 victory.
Team USA went 2/4 on power plays while China went 1/4 on power plays with neither side attempting a penalty shot. “We had a consistent effort throughout the match to produce a win. We still have better water polo in us but this was a good result against a quality Chinese team,” said USA Women’s National Team Head Coach Adam Krikorian.
Scoring
USA 11 (3, 2, 2, 4) R. Fattal 2, A. Williams 2, M. Fischer 2, K. Craig 2, M. Seidemann 1, M. Steffens 1, K. Neushul 1
CHN 5 (1, 1, 2, 1)
Saves – USA – A. Johnson 13
6×5 – USA – 2/4 – CHN – 1/4
Penalties – USA – 0/0 – CHN – 0/0
Swimming news courtesy of USA Water Polo.