Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS
By Dan D’Addona
U.S. women’s water polo coach Adam Krikorian had an emotional return to Rio on Tuesday, while Ashleigh Johnson had a historic match.
After his brother’s death last week, Krikorian left Rio de Janeiro to be with his family, returning to the Olympic games in time for the women’s water polo opening match Tuesday.
The gold-medal favorite Americans won handily, dominating Spain 11-4 with Johnson in goal, becoming the first African-American woman to play water polo for the U.S. in the Olympics. She dominated with 11 saves.
Maggie Steffens, Kiley Neushul and Courtney Mathewson each scored two goals for the U.S.
It was the four-year anniversary of the last time the U.S. faced Spain in the Olympics, winning 8-5 in the gold medal match in London.
The U.S. will face China in the second round of pool play Thursday, while Spain will face Hungary.
Italy 9, Brazil 3
Brazil made its debut in the Olympics in women’s water polo Tuesday but, unlike the men’s team, which has won twice already, the women lost 9-3 to Italy in their opener.
Italy led just 3-1 at halftime but added three goals in each of the final two quarters to cruise to victory.
Roberta Bianconi scored three goals to lead Italy. Goalie Giulia Gorlero stopped all of Brazil’s shots from outside five meters.
Italy will face Australia next, while Brazil faces Russia.
Hungary 13, China 11
Hungary scored six goals in the third quarter to break a 6-6 halftime tie and hold off China for 13-11 win in Tuesday’s pool play opener.
Rita Keszthelyi, the leading scorer from last year’s world championships, scored three goals for Hungary. Dora Czigany led Hungary with four goals. Guanna Niu and Huanhuan Ma had three goals apiece for China. Zihan Zhao scored two.
Hungary faces Spain on Thursday, while China faces the U.S.
Australia 14, Russia 4
Australia scored eight first-half goals to take a dominating seven-goal lead and went on to roll past Russia 14-4.
The 10-goal margin of victory is the biggest of any game in the men’s or women’s tournament so far.
Ash Southern led Australia with four goals. Rowie Webster and Keesja Gofers added three apiece and Glencora McGhie tallied two.
Australia will face Italy next, while Russia will face host Brazil.
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