USA Women’s Water Polo Tops Brazil 9-4 to Open FINA Women’s Intercontinental Tournament

Photo Courtesy: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

AUCKLAND – The USA Women’s Senior National Team opened play at the FINA Women’s Intercontinental Tournament in New Zealand with a 9-4 win over Brazil. Team USA showed off a balanced attack in the win with Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford/NYAC), Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/UCLA/NYAC), and Makenzie Fischer (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach HS/SET) all scoring two goals in the win. Carlee Kapana (Newport Beach, CA/Newport Harbor HS/Newport WPF) went the distance in net with seven saves. Team USA returns to action tomorrow with a match against China. Given the time difference to New Zealand the game will occur at 7pm pacific time tonight.

The match was even early on with the two teams tied at 1-1 after the first quarter and 3-3 at halftime. The third quarter decided the match with the United States blanking Brazil 5-0 to take a commanding 8-3 lead into the fourth. The two teams each scored a goal in the fourth quarter but the damage had been done and Team USA came away winners 9-4. The United States went 4/10 on power plays and 0/1 on penalty shots while Brazil was 3/6 on power plays and did not attempt a penalty shot.

“Our nervousness led to a shaky start but we started to play more aggressive in the third quarter,” said USA Head Coach Adam Krikorian.

Scoring
USA 9 (1, 2 5, 1) C. Mathewson 2, M. Seidemann 2, M. Fischer 2, M. Musselman 1, K. Craig 1, C. O’Donnell 1
BRA 4 (1, 2, 0, 1)
Saves – USA – C. Kapana 7
6×5 – USA 4/10 – BRA – 3/6
Penalties – USA 0/1 – BRA – 0/0

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworl d .com.

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