Water Polo Women’s Quarterfinals: U.S. Dominates, Faces Hungary Next

Photo Courtesy: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports

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By Dan D’Addona

The U.S. women’s water polo team proved once again that it is the team to beat at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

It wasn’t the explosive offense that led the Americans in Monday’s quarterfinal against Brazil, but stellar defense.

The defense was so good that the Americans shut out the host nation for the first three quarters in a dominating 13-3 victory. With the win, the U.S. advances to Wednesday’s semifinals against Hungary, which defeated Australia 13-11 on penalty shots Monday.

The U.S. victory was its 20^th consecutive win, and in the four matches in Rio, the U.S. is unbeaten and dominating its opponents. The Americans have outscored their opponents by a combined 47-16 in the tournament as they bid to repeat as gold medalists.

Ashleigh Johnson made six saves in goal for the U.S., though she wasn’t tested often thanks to the stellar defense in front of her. She allowed no goals in three quarters and Sami Hill replaced Johnson for the fourth quarter.

Maggie Steffens, Kiley Neushul, Makenzie Fischer and Kaleigh Gilchrist each scored twice for the U.S. Melissa Seidemann scored for the first time in the tournament as the U.S. spread the offense around with nine different goal scorers.

Hungary’s win put the team in the semifinals for the third consecutive Olympics.

Barbara Bujka and Dora Antal scored in the final five minutes to force the tie and penalty shots.

Dora Czigany and Antal scored the final two goals in the penalty shots.

Australian captain Bronwen Knox missed her penalty shot, which set up goals by both Doras. The Aussies were left out of the semifinals for the first time since women’s water polo joined the Olympics in 2000, when Australia won gold in Sydney.

In the other quarterfinals, Russia surged past Spain 12-10 and Italy advanced with a 12-7 win over China.

For Russia, Ekaterina Prokofyeva scored four goals and Elvina Karimova scored the big one in the fourth quarter to help the Russians hold off Spain.

For Italy, it was an offensive and defensive balance as Giulia Gorlero had 14 saves in goal and Roberta Bianconi had three goals.

Italy will face Russia in Wednesday’s semifinals at 3:30 p.m. ET, following the U.S.-Hungary match at 11:30 a.m.

In the consolation games, Australia will face Brazil at 10 a.m. and Spain will face China at 2:10 p.m. as the rest of the teams battle for fifth through eighth places.

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