USA Women’s Water Polo Falls to Greece, 11-9, in Kirishi Cup

KIRISHI, Russia, June 2. THE USA Women's National Team suffered their first defeat of the Kirishi Cup falling to Greece 11-9. Two goals each for Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/USC/NYAC) and Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/California/Tulatin Hills) along with 11 saves from Tumua Anae (Newport Beach, CA/USC/SoCal) weren't enough to overcome the Greeks. Team USA takes on Kazakhstan tomorrow.

It was a low scoring first quarter with Greece going up early 1-0 before the United States got on the board at the 4:14 mark thanks to a score from Wenger. In the second period Greece started to take control going up 3-1 before another Wenger goal drew it back to 3-2. The Greeks then tacked on three straight goals to pull into halftime up 6-2.

The third quarter saw Team USA look to chip away. Windes got her first goal less than a minute into the period for a 6-3 match. Greece would answer with a score to go up 7-3 followed by two straight goals from the United States to get within 7-5 at the 4:23 mark in the quarter. Greece again had an answer scoring three of the next four goals to keep a commanding lead at 10-6 with play moving to the fourth period.

Offensively the Greeks kept it rolling into the fourth period scoring another goal less than thirty seconds in for an 11-6 lead. Team USA began the daunting task of trying to rally getting a goal from Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/Santa Barbara WPF) with 6:50 to play in the match but there wouldn't be enough time left. Heather Petri (Orinda, CA/California/NYAC) would chip in a goal minutes later and Jessica Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/NYAC) would add a goal as the game wound to a close but they would not factor in the decision.

Team USA went 5/10 on power plays while Greece was 2/6. Team USA is back in action tomorrow with a match against Kazakhstan.

Scoring – Scoresheet

USA 9 (1, 1, 4, 2) L. Wenger 2, E. Windes 2, K. Craig , M. Seidemann, A. Dries, H. Petri, J. Steffens
GRE 11 (1, 5, 4, 1)

Saves – USA – T. Anae – 11

6×5 – USA 5/10 – GRE – 2/6

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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