World Champs: U.S. Women Fall to Hungary in Gold-Medal Game in Water Polo -- July 30, 2005

MONTREAL, Canada, July 30. THE United States made a gutsy rally, but overtime proved unkind to the Stars and Stripes. Playing in the gold-medal match of the World Championships, the U.S. women’s water polo team dropped a 10-7 decision to Hungary on Friday. The defending champion, the United States settled for the silver medal.

Digging a sizable deficit, the U.S. appeared headed for a regulation setback until some late fireworks forced an extra session. Trailing by four goals, second-half scores from Moriah Van Norman, Brenda Villa, Ericka Lorenz (twice) forged a tie. Hungary, though, netted three goals in overtime and claimed the gold medal. Hungary also defeated the U.S. earlier in the tournament.