TIANJIN, China, Aug. 13. DURING the World Cup bronze-medal match, Russia came out swinging and never looked back, defeating the U.S. Women’s National Team, 9-8, for the bronze medal. This was the first time the U.S. Team has not medaled since the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan in 2001.
"Our goal was to win the World Cup. Obviously that wasn't accomplished,” Team USA head coach Guy Baker said. “With that said and given the experience of our team, I am very proud that we put ourselves into a position to set a very high goal that was ultimately not accomplished. I do believe there are better days ahead of us and, this summer, even though result may not show it, we have made a tremendous amount of progress that will help us to reach our goals in the future."
In the first-place game, Australia crushed the reigning Olympic champion, Italy, 10-5, to take the World Cup gold. The Aussies have won the World Cup twice before. The team first won in Irvine, Calif., in 1984 and on its home soil in 1995.
BRONZE MEDAL GAME: USA vs. RUS, 8-9
BOX SCORES:
USA – 1 1 3 3 – 8
RUS – 3 2 2 2 – 9
SCORERS:
USA: Petri 3, Lorenz 2, Wenger 3
RUS: Shepelina 2, Konukh 4, Vylegzhanina 1, Fomicheva 1, Smurova 1
GOALKEEPER SAVES:
USA: Armstrong 8
RUS: Protsenko 12
PLAYER ADVANTAGE:
USA: 5 for 11
RUS: 6 for 12
SHOOTING:
USA: 8 for 31
RUS: 9 for 30
FINAL RANKINGS:
Australia
Italy
Russia
USA
Hungary
Greece
Canada
China