USA Women’s Water Polo Claims Pan American Gold in Epic, 27-26, Comeback Victory

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, October 29. THE USA Water Polo Women's National Team won Gold at the Pan American Games and earned a berth to the 2012 Olympic Games with an epic, come from behind victory over Canada 27-26. Maggie Steffens' (Danville, Calif./Stanford/Diablo) goal on the final penalty shot coupled with a Canada miss secured victory and brought an end to a shootout that saw each team have 20 attempts. The United States and Canada were knotted at 8-8 after regulation. That was followed by the two standard overtime periods that saw neither team find the cage. The shootout followed and after each team was successful on five attempts it was on to sudden death. 15 attempts later for each side and the United States emerged victorious claiming their third straight Pan American Games championship.

Team USA rallied from a four goal deficit in the second half as Canada was leading 7-3 with 3:43 to go in the third quarter. The United States turned to Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, Calif./UCLA/NYAC) who scored three of the next four goals including the game tying score with 4:39 remaining. Canada then went ahead on a power play goal but the United States had one more answer when Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, Calif./USC/Santa Barbara WP) scored on a power play with just :31 left. The match seemed headed to overtime but Canada drew a five meter penalty with :11 left in the quarter only to have their shot blocked by Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, Mich./Michigan/NYAC), one of her 13 saves on the evening.

The shootout began with the first five shooters converting. In the extra session, a format allowing each team to shoot, the first shooter for each team scored. Mathewson was up next for the United States and had her shot blocked, with the game in the balance Armstrong delivered again blocking the Canadian shot. The two teams then connected on their next 12 opportunities, the United States hit on the 13th, Canada's shot barred out and the celebration was on for the United States.

The United States started the match off in strong fashion getting a back hand goal from Craig to open a 1-0 lead. That was answered by Canada on the next possession and it was 1-1 after the first. In the second period the teams again traded goals with Canada taking an early lead, the first deficit of the tourney for the United States, only to have Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, Calif./USC/NYAC) come through with a power play goal for a 2-2 game. Canada then went on a three goal run to take a 5-2 advantage at halftime.

In the third quarter Canada went up 6-2 before Mathewson came through with a score to cut it down to 6-3. Canada went up again on a power play goal 7-3 only to see Mathewson hit again to keep it close at 7-4 after three. In the fourth Team USA began chipping away as Mathewson continued her hot streak early in the period making it 7-5. Wenger followed suit with a power play goal to make it 7-6 and then Mathewson buried a deep shot to even the match at 7-7 which set the stage for the amazing finish.

Team USA went 3/6 on power plays and did not attempt any penalties in regulation while Canada was 3/7 on power plays and 1/2 on penalties. In the shootout the United States was 19/20 and Canada went 18/20. Mathewson led Team USA with four goals on the evening.

Scoring – Scoresheet
USA 8 (1, 1, 2, 4, 0, 0) C. Mathewson 4, L. Wenger 2, K. Craig 2
CAN 8 (1,4, 2, 1, 0, 0)
Shootout – USA 19/20 – CAN 18/20
6×5 – 3/6 – CAN – 3/7
Penalties – USA 0/0 – CAN 1/2
Saves – USA – B. Armstrong 13

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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