USA Downs China for Bye to Semifinals

TIANJIN, China, Aug. 10. THE U.S. Senior National Women’s Water Polo Team claimed its third victory at the FINA World Cup to finish first in Group A over Russia, Greece and China to bypass the quarterfinal round. The U.S. team defeated China, 14-7, in its final preliminary match.

Lauren Wenger led the U.S. through the first half of the game against China with four goals before halftime. As the game continued on, Team USA’s counterattack and expert ball-handling skills pushed them well past the young Chinese team. In the third quarter, Brenda Villa up to score two penalty goals and went on to score a third goal with 31 seconds left in the period. In the fourth, Patty Cardenas scored the U.S. team’s third penalty to secure the final score, 14-7.

“The result was expected,” Team USA head coach Guy Baker said. “The only disappointment was on two six on fives. They were not listening at the time out. China played really hard, regardless of the score. It’s great that China keeps improving.”

In other day three games, Russia beat Greece 14-8, Italy led over Canada, 11-9, and Australia defeated Hungary 9-6.

Current Standings:
GROUP A: GROUP B:
USA – 6 points AUS – 6 points
RUS – 4 points HUN – 4 points
GRE – 2 points ITA – 2 points
CHN – 0 points CAN – 0 points

DAY 3: USA vs. China, 14-7
BOX SCORES:
USA – 4 4 3 3 – 14
CHN – 1 2 3 1 – 7

SCORERS:
USA – Lorenz 2, Villa 3, Wenger 4, Golda 1, Cardenas 1, Gregorka 1, Van Norman 1, Craig 1

SAVES:
USA – Armstrong 7

PLAYER ADVANTAGE:
USA – 6 of 12, 3 of 3 (penalty)
CHN – 2 of 7, 1 of 1 (penalty)

SHOOTING:
USA – 14 of 29
CHN – 7 of 21

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