USA Women’s Water Polo Squashes Puerto Rico, 24-4, at Pan American Games

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, October 25. THE USA Water Polo Women's National Team made quick work of Puerto Rico on day two of competition at the Pan American Games claiming a 24-4 victory at the Scotiabank Aquatics Center. Four goals from Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, Calif./USC/Santa Barbara WPF) led the well-balanced offensive attack that saw all but one field player score a goal. Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, Mich./Michigan/NYAC) and Tumua Anae (Newport Beach, Calif./USC/SoCal) combined to make four saves in net anchoring a defense that has allowed only four goals through two matches.

The United States raced out to an 8-0 lead after the first quarter. Early in the second Puerto Rico got on the board breaking a five quarter scoreless streak for the Americans. Puerto Rico scored two of the first three goals to open the period but the United States followed that with six goals to close out the quarter and took a commanding 15-2 lead into halftime. The third and fourth quarters were dominated by Team USA as they outscored Puerto Rico 9-2 to come away with the victory. Other scorers for Team USA included Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, Calif./Stanford/SET), Kelly Rulon (San Diego, Calif./UCLA/NYAC), and Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, Calif./Stanford/Stanford) all scoring three times while Brenda Villa (Commerce, Calif./Stanford/Olympic Club), Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, Calif./USC/NYAC), Maggie Steffens (Danville, Calif./Stanford/Diablo), Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, Calif./UCLA/NYAC), and Elsie Windes (Portland, Ore./California/Tulatin Hills) each scored twice. Jessica Steffens (Danville, Calif./Stanford/NYAC) closed out the scoring with a goal of her own. Team USA went 5/8 on power plays and 1/2 on penalty shots, Puerto Rico went 0-1 on power plays and 1/1 on penalty shots.

The squad closes out group play tomorrow with a 12:15pm matchup against Cuba, a top ten finisher from this summer's FINA World Championships.

Scoring – Scoresheet
USA 24 (8, 7, 7, 2) K. Craig 4, A. Dries 3, K. Rulon 3, M. Seidemann 3, E. Windes 2, M. Steffens 2, C. Mathewson 2, L. Wenger 2, B. Villa 2, J. Steffens 1
PUR 4 (0, 2, 1, 1)

Saves – USA – B. Armstrong 2, T. Anae 2
6×5 – USA – 5/8 – PR – 0/1
Penalties – USA 1/2 – PR 1/1

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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