Women’s Water Polo: US defeats Australia

2000 Holiday Cup – Day Two Results

Australia…7
USA………8

Last month, Australia was a less-than-gracious host to the United States. An injury-hampered Team USA went winless in four games against the Aussies, managing only one tie in the process.
Wednesday night at the Holiday Cup was a different story altogether.A healthy U.S. squad dispatched Australia, 8-7, before a crowd of 1,200 at the National Aquatic Center in Los Alamitos.
Coach Guy Baker knew that his team would have its work cut out when it took to the water against the Aussies.
"Australia is the best coached team in this tournament," he said. "They will be one of the teams to watch."
Australia opened up the scoring in the first quarter on a goal by Gail Miller at the 5:58 mark. Goals by Coralie Simmons and Brenda Villa later in the
quarter made the score 2-1, USA. The game remained close until the third quarter, when the U.S. took a three-goal lead at 7-4 on Simmons' third goal
of the night. However, Australia's Bridgette Gusterson, Simone Hankin, and Yvette Higgins netted goals in the fourth to bring the score to 8-7. Several
key stops by the Australian defense stuttered the American offense, blanking Team USA for the fourth.
But goalkeeper Nicolle Payne made a few key stops of her own. Three of her 15 saves held off Australia's tying goal, and the U.S. held on for the 8-7 win.
With the win, the U.S. takes over sole possession of first place in the tourney standings.

Netherlands…4
Canada……..5

Reigning world champion Netherlands was upset on Wednesday, 5-4, by Canada in the Holiday Cup at the National Aquatic Center in Los Alamitos. Canada converted on both of its man-advantage opportunities and Ann Dow scored a pair of goals in the win.
Canada drew first blood 59 seconds into the game on a goal by Dow and never trailed. A goal by Danielle de Bruijn with 3:20 to go in the fourth quarter brought the Netherlands to within one at 5-4, but Canada managed to stave off the rally, preserving the win.
Netherlands' goalkeeper Karla Plugge tallied nine saves in goal.

Kazakhstan…6
Russia……14

In the second game of the evening at the Holiday Cup, Kazakhstan was shut down by Russia. Russia converted 50% of their man advantage opportunities
(6-12), en route to the 14-6 win.
Kazakhstan struggled early on and trailed, 6-2, after one quarter of play. Russia managed to maintain that distance throughout, and held Kazakhstan scoreless in the fourth quarter.
Russia had a tournament-high 10 players score on the day.

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