USA Women Defeat Hungary 11-6 in Second Game of Series

Photo Courtesy: Jared Gray/USA Water Polo

Greenwich, CT – June 29 – A capacity crowd filled the YMCA of Greenwich to witness the U.S. Olympic Women’s Water Polo Team defeat Hungary 11-6 in the second match of a three game series. Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/UCLA/NYAC) scored three goals to pace the offense with Sami Hill (Santa Barbara, CA/UCLA/Santa Barbara) recording six saves in net to earn the win. To watch a full replay of the match, click here. The two teams will meet Saturday at Fordham University in Bronx, NY at 2pm. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by clicking here. To watch a live stream, click here. To access live stats, click here.

The first half was a defensive battle between Team USA and Hungary as the United States scored the lone goal in the first quarter on a Kiley Neushul (Goleta, CA/Stanford/Santa Barbara) strike for a 1-0 lead. Hungary scored early in the seconed quarter on the first of three goals by Orsolya Takacs for a 1-1 match. Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford/NYAC) countered with a tally to make it 2-1 only to see Takacs hit with 16 seconds left in the half for a 2-2 match. The scoring wasn’t done there as Rachel Fattal (Seal Beach, CA/UCLA/SOCAL) spotted Maddie Musselman(Newport Beach, CA/Corona del Mar HS/CdM Aquatics) for a score and a 3-2 lead at halftime.

Much like Monday evening in Miami the third quarter proved to be the difference maker as the United States scored three straight goals to open the period. Fattal, Mathewson and KK Clark (Menlo Park, CA/UCLA/NYAC) delivered to make it 6-2 midway through the third. Hungary scored two of the next three to keep things close at 7-4 but Mathewson capped the scoring in the period with a goal with less than a minute to play in the period.

Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/NYAC) powered home a goal inside two meters with 3:31 in the fourth for a 9-4 lead. Mathewson and Musselman would add goals on the way to an 11-6 victory. Team USA went 8/10 on power plays with Hungary going 4/10 with neither side attempting a penalty shot.

Scoring
USA 11 (1, 2, 5, 3) C. Mathewson 3, R. Fattal 2, K. Clark 2, M. Seidemann 1, K. Neushul 1, K. Gilchrist 1, K. Craig 1
HUN 6 (0, 2, 2, 2) O. Takacs 3, D. Antal 1, D. Czigany 1, R. Keszthelyi 1
Saves – USA – S. Hill 6 – HUN – E. Gangl 6
6×5 – USA – 8/10 – HUN – 4/10
Penalties – USA – 0/0 – HUN – 0/0

USA Water Polo contributed this report.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use