CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, August 22. FOR the first time since 1979 the USA Women's National Team has won Gold at the FINA World Cup following a 6-3 defeat of Australia earlier today at the QEII in Christchurch. Six different goal scorers paced the United States who built a 6-0 lead at halftime and then were able to hold the Australians to just three goals over the final two periods to take the victory.<\/p>\n
Team USA came out on fire to start the match scoring at the 6:39 mark when Elsie Windes (Portland, OR\/Tulatin Hills) hit for a goal and a 1-0 lead. Less than 30 seconds later Kelly Rulon (Point Loma, CA\/NYAC) came through for Team USA with a score and a 2-0 lead. Fast forward to just two seconds remaining in the period and Rulon drew a five meter penalty which was converted by Lolo Silver (Long Beach, CA\/NYAC) for a 3-0 lead after one quarter.<\/p>\n
The second quarter was more of the same when Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA\/NYAC) got the scoring started on a power play less than a minute into the period for a 4-0 lead. At the 3:46 mark Team USA added more when Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, CA\/SET) took a sweet dish from Windes for a score right in front and a 5-0 lead. While the USA defense remained up to the task the USA offense kept working when Silver drew a five meter penalty at the :58 mark in the period. Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA\/Diablo) converted and the lead was 6-0 at halftime.<\/p>\n
Australia looked to rally in the second half when the Aussies scored back to back goals in the first 90 seconds of the period to draw within 6-2. Australia was going for more at the 6:07 mark when they had a penalty shot blocked by Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI\/NYAC). Armstrong finished with 11 saves on the day including several crucial blocks in the second half.<\/p>\n
It was 6-2 to start the final quarter and the United States killed off another Australia power play at the 6:28 mark to remain up four. The Aussies would convert just 1\/9 power plays while the United States was 2\/7. The green and gold did break through with a score in front of the cage at the 4:37 mark for a 6-3 game. While the USA wouldn't muster anymore scores their defense remained stellar in helping to preserve the lead.<\/p>\n
The United States thwarted a power play try for Australia at the 2:30 mark and then after Steffens was excluded it was Armstrong making a big stop right in front of the cage at the 1:37 mark. From there the United States just worked the clock and when time expired the United States had another championship.<\/p>\n
Since winning Silver at the 2008 Olympics the USA Women's National Team has won all the major championships in their path including two FINA World League Super Finals, a FINA World Championship, and now a FINA World Cup. The last FINA World Cup title came in 1979 in Merced, California<\/p>\n
Scoring<\/p>\n
USA 6 (3, 3, 0, 0) E. Windes 1, K. Rulon 1, L. Silver 1, C. Mathewson 1, A. Dries 1, M. Steffens 1
\nAUS 3 (0, 0, 2, 1)<\/p>\n
Saves \u2013 USA \u2013 B. Armstrong 11<\/p>\n
6×5 \u2013 USA 2\/7 \u2013 AUS 1\/9
\nPenalties \u2013 USA 2\/2 \u2013 AUS 0\/1<\/p>\n
The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine<\/i>. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World<\/i> offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World<\/i> reserves the right to choose what material is posted.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, August 22. FOR the first time since 1979 the USA Women's National Team has won Gold at the FINA World Cup following a 6-3 defeat of Australia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"dois","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[12,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-water-polo","category-zzzzzzzzz"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n