Canada Downs Team USA 9-5 In FINA World Water Polo League Prelims

CORONADO, California, May 31. THE USA Women's Senior National Team fell to Canada 9-5 in the first game of the FINA World League Prelims for the Americas earlier tonight at the Brian Bent Memorial Aquatics Complex in Coronado, CA.

Canada got off to the strong start opening up a 2-0 lead on scores by Krystina Alogbo and Marina Radu. Alogbo delivered a backhand for the score while Radu was able to find the back of the net from outside. The United States were able to answer as Kami Craig put one in from two meters to draw Team USA within a goal at 2-1. That remained the score heading in the second stanza where Canada built on their lead with tallies by Carmen Eggens and Whitney Genoway. With this the Canadians were in front 4-1 at intermission.

In the third the United States looked to rally when Alison Gregorka picked up a rebound off a missed shot and scored the rebound to close within 4-2. This was short lived as Canada used a bevy of exclusion opportunities in the second half. The Canadians scored on back to back tallies by Christine Robinson and Dominique Perreault both on man advantages and by the end of the third quarter it was 6-2 Canada.

The start of the fourth quarter saw more of the same when Alogbo used another 6×5 advantage to find the net putting Canada up 7-2. Kelly Rulon scored shortly thereafter on a skip shot to close Team USA within four at 7-3. The two teams would begin to trade goals after this with Tara Campbell scoring for Canada followed by Heather Petri scoring on a man advantage making it 8-4 for Canada. Joelle Bekhazi tallied the next score for Canada followed by Alison Gregorka connecting leading to a score of 9-5, which is how the game would end.

Jaime Komer went the distance in net for the United States while Rachel Riddell was in cage for Canada. The two teams will meet again tomorrow at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, California at 4:30 pm PST.

Scoring:

USA: 5 (1,0,1,3) A. Gregorka 2, K. Craig 1, K. Rulon 1, H. Petri 1
CAN: 9 (2, 2, 2, 3) K. Alogbo 2, T. Campbell 1, M. Radu 1, C. Eggens 1, W. Genoway 1, C. Robinson 1, D. Perreault 1, J. Bekhazi 1

Flash Quotes:

"It was a bit of an uninspired effort, I think we need to come out with a little more competitive fire than we did, and you know it starts with me too. They (Canada) were much more ready to play and excited to play than we were today. Anytime you shoot the ball like we did you are going to have a hard time winning games. We didn't do a terrible job defensively, but we lost the 6×5 battle and the rest was history. – Adam Krikoran, USA Head Coach

"I think we are trying a lot of new things that we want to do as we prepare for World Championships so I like the way teams responding to different kinds of game plans. But were are in the same boat as the US team, just trying new things and tonight it worked out well for us." – Pat Oaten, Canada Head Coach

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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