USA 3-0 at FINA Women’s Water Polo Intercontinental Tournament

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Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

The FINA Women’s Water Polo Intercontinental Tournament is currently taking place from May 2-7 at the Schaal Aquatics Center at the University of California-Davis. So far, both the American and Australian teams remain undefeated. The two teams will not face off until the evening of Saturday, May 6. Up next, the USA will take on Canada while Australia faces off against Japan.

May 4 – USA 10 JPN 6

Davis, CA – The USA Women’s National Team picked up their third straight win at the FINA Intercontinental Tournament and with their standing thus far have secured a spot at the upcoming FINA World League Super Final. Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford/NYAC) scored three goals to pace the offense while Thea Walsh (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach HS/SET) posted 11 saves in net in the victory. Team USA returns to action on Friday evening against Canada at 7:10pm pt. A live webcast will be available at Facebook.com/USAWP. Live stats will be available at TheFosh.net.

Team USA started off strong opening up a 2-0 lead behind six first quarter saves from Walsh. Japan broke through early in the second quarter for their first goal but the United States responded with a Lexi Liebowitz (Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS/680 Water Polo) goal as the teams began trading scores. It stayed close at half with the United States ahead 4-3. Seidemann scored at the 3:42 mark to put the USA ahead 6-3. Ava Johnson (Walnut Creek, CA/Las Lomas HS/680 Water Polo) capped the scoring in the third to leave the United States in control up 8-4.

Japan staged a rally early in the fourth scoring two straight to pull within two at 8-6. Team USA turned back to Liebowitz and Johnson and the club teammates delivered with goals lifting the United States to the 10-6 win. Team USA went 3/7 on power plays while Japan went 2/6 with neither side attempting a penalty shot.

In other action Australia defeated Kazakhstan 9-5 and Canada earned their first victory of the tourney topping China 12-9.

Scoring
USA 10 (2, 2, 2, 2) M. Seidemann 3, A. Johnson 2, J. Roemer 2, L. Liebowitz 2, S. Klass 1
JPN 6 (0, 3, 1, 2) Arima 2, Sakanoue 2, Hosoya 1, Suzuki 1
Saves – USA – Walsh 11 – JPN – Aoki 7
6×5 – USA – 3/7 – JPN – 2/6
Penalties – USA – 0/0 – JPN – 0/0

The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with USA Water Polo. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact newsmaster@swimmingworld.com.

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