Match Video: USA Women Defeat China 14-1

epa06091016 Rachel Fattal (rear) of the US challenges Carly Joy Faulmann of South Africa for the ball during the women's water polo Group B first round match between South Africa and the USA of the FINA Swimming World Championships 2017 in Budapest, Hungary, 16 July 2017. EPA/SZILARD KOSZTICSAK HUNGARY OUT

Photo Courtesy: SZILARD KOSZTICSAK

Tustin, CA – December 19 – In front of a capacity crowd at Foothill High School the USA Women’s National Team wasted little time exciting their fans on the way to a 14-1 victory over China. On an evening where two-time Olympic gold medalist Courtney Mathewson was recognized following her retirement announcement, Team USA jumped out to a 5-0 lead on the way to a dominant win.

Rachel Fattal (Seal Beach, CA/UCLA/SOCAL) and Brigitta Games (Littleton, CO/USC/NYAC) scored three goals each to pace the offense. Ashleigh Johnson (Miami, FL/Princeton/NYAC), Gabby Stone (La Jolla, CA/Stanford/SD Shores) and Amanda Longan (Moorpark, CA/USC/Santa Barbara 805) combined for 12 saves in net. View a full replay of the match below:

Makenzie Fischer (Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET) started the scoring with a lob shot in the opening 21 seconds for a 1-0 lead. Games followed up with a goal less than two minutes later and Fattal added a score prior to the five minute mark for a 3-0 lead. Maddie Musselman (Newport Beach, CA/UCLA/CDM Aquatics) and Jordan Raney (Manhattan Beach, CA/Stanford/Huntington Beach WP) added goals to close out the first period and Team USA quickly built a 5-0 lead.

Games opened the scoring in the second quarter followed by deliveries from Fattal and Jamie Neushul (Isla Vista, CA/Stanford/Santa Barbara 805) for an 8-0 lead at intermission. Aria Fischer (Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET) and Games added goals in the third quarter and Team USA took a 10- lead into the final period. They added four more goals in the fourth, the last coming from Fattal with under two minutes to play to secure the victory.

Team USA went 4/8 on power plays while China went 0/4 with neither side attempting a penalty shot.

Mathewson announced her retirement earlier this month following a career that saw two Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016) and a FINA World Championship (2015) among other accolades.

Scoring

Scoresheet
USA 14 (5, 3, 2, 4) R. Fattal 3, B. Games 3, M. Musselman 1, M. Seidemann1, M. Steffens 1, J. Raney 1, K. Neushul 1, A. Fischer 1, J. Neushul 1, M. Fischer 1
CHN 1 (0, 0, 0, 1) Deng Zewen 1
Saves – USA – A. Johnson 5, A. Longan 4, G. Stone 3 – CHN P. Lin 5, S. Yineng 1
6×5 – USA – 4/8 – CHN – 0/4
Penalties – USA – 0/0 – CHN 0/0

Press release courtesy of USA Water Polo.

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Thomas A. Small

6 years ago

Congratulations ladys