USA Women’s Water Polo Ties Australia, 7-7, at Kirishi Cup

KIRISHI, Russia, May 31. THE USA Women's Senior National Team opened up the Kirishi Cup in Russia with a 7-7 tie against Australia. Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/Santa Barbara WPF) scored three goals and Tumua Anae (Newport Beach, CA/USC/SoCal) added seven saves in the cage. Team USA is back in action tomorrow with a match against Hungary.

It was a slow start offensively in the first quarter as neither team found the cage through the first six minutes. The Aussies broke through with a score at the 1:54 mark but that was answered by Craig's first tally of the match to tie things at 1-1 going to the second period. Three minutes into the second period Team USA took their first lead when Craig scored again for a 2-1 advantage. This was short lived however when some thirty seconds later Australia tied the match at 2-2.

Again there was a long scoring drought until time was winding down in the half and Craig put home her third of the contest for a 3-2 lead headed into halftime. In the third the scoring would pick up when the United States grabbed a two goal lead on a score from Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/California/Tulatin Hills) to open the quarter. Australia would repeatedly come within a score but goals from Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Monte Vista HS/Diablo) and Anne Belden (Newport Beach, CA/UCLA/NYAC) would keep the margin at two at 6-4 going to the fourth.

In the final period Australia started to chip away and by the four minute mark had the match knotted up at 6-6. With 2:47 remaining Heather Petri (Orinda, CA/California/NYAC) found the cage for a 7-6 USA lead. Australia would not go down that easily and battled back to tie the match at 7-7 on a score at the 1:36 mark and that is the way the contest would end. Team USA went 0/3 on power plays while Australia was 2/4.

Scoring – Scoresheet

USA 7 (1, 2, 3, 1) K. Craig 3, E. Windes, M. Steffens, A. Belden, H. Petri
AUS 7 (1, 1, 2, 3)

Saves – USA – T. Anae – 7

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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