USA Women’s Water Polo Sweeps Australia During Kami Craig Celebration

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

Rachel Fattal. Photo Courtesy: SZILARD KOSZTICSAK

Another capacity crowd cheered on the USA Women’s National Team to another victory over Australia, this time a 14-3 win at Santa Barbara High School. The victory capped a three-game sweep for Team USA over their longtime rivals and served as a fitting cap to a day that honored retired three-time Olympic medalist Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/NYAC). Kiley Neushul (Isla Vista, CA/Stanford/NYAC) and Jordan Raney (Manhattan Beach, CA/Stanford/Huntington Beach WP) each scored three goals to lead the offense while Ashleigh Johnson (Miami, FL/Princeton/NYAC) and Amanda Longan (Moorpark, CA/USC/Santa Barbara 805) combined for seven saves in net.

In the pool where she played her high school water polo, Craig capped up for Team USA for one final time playing a few minutes in the first quarter. A few attempts to get Craig free for a goal fell short but it was all smiles for the two-time Olympic champion who was honored at halftime for decade-plus run on the National Team.

For the third straight game Neushul started the scoring getting Team USA on the board early for a 1-0 lead. Again Team USA would have a strong defensive showing in the first half holding Australia scoreless. They built a 2-0 lead after the first quarter and a 4-0 lead after the second quarter. Early in the third Hannah Buckling got Australia on the board for a 4-1 game but Team USA quickly responded scoring four in a row to go in front 8-1.

Neushul and Rachel Fattal (Seal Beach, CA/UCLA/SOCAL) jumpstarted that run to take the commanding advantage into the fourth quarter. The offensive onslaught only continued in the fourth quarter as the United States exploded for six more goals. Australia would score twice but it was no match for another goal from Neushul and two more from Raney to secure the 14-3 lead.

Notes: This game was originally scheduled for December of 2017 but was rescheduled following wildfires in Santa Barbara. Team USA will now travel to Surgut, Russia for the 2018 FINA World Cup taking place September 4-9. The Team USA roster for this event will be announced this week. The United States has won the last two FINA World Cup titles (2010, 2014).

Scoring – Scoresheet
USA 14 (2, 2, 4, 6) K. Neushul 3, J. Raney 3, R. Fattal 2, S. Haralabidis 1, P. Hauschild 1, M. Steffens 1, A. Fischer 1, M. Fischer 1, A. Williams 1
AUS 3 (0, 0, 1, 2)
Saves – USA – A. Longan 4, A. Johnson 3
Referees – Jen McCall, Danielle Dabbaghian

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

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