NEWPORT BEACH, California, May 21. THE USA Women's Senior National Team staged a late rally to force a shootout where they out dueled Canada 4-2 en route to a 12-10 victory in the first match of the FINA World League Prelims at Corona del Mar High School. Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA\/UCLA\/NYAC) scored two goals in the final 2:21 to force the extra session and then was one of four shooters to knock down their attempt in earning the victory. Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI\/Michigan\/NYAC) stopped two crucial shots in the shootout to go along with eight saves on the evening.<\/p>\n
The match was a series of runs for the most part with Canada getting off to a good start hitting on a power play try to go up 1-0 just 90 seconds into the contest. Team USA immediately responded with three straight tallies to build a 3-1 advantage. Elsie Windes (Portland, OR\/California\/HBWPC) got it started with an outside shot followed by Mathewson converting a five meter penalty try and Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA\/Monte Vista HS\/Diablo) capping the scoring with another outside shot. Canada shrugged off that run by hitting for two straight goals in the final 1:48 of the period and it was knotted at 3-3 going to the second.<\/p>\n
In the second quarter goals came at a premium as both defenses took it up a notch. After the United States missed a five meter penalty try they got another goal back when Windes again hit from outside for a 4-3 lead at the 1:35 mark. That would be the lead coming out of halftime and headed into a third quarter that belonged to the Canadians. It was scoreless until the 3:59 mark in the quarter when Canada hit on a player advantage goal to tie the match at 4-4. Team USA had a golden opportunity to score with a 6 on 4 advantage late in the period but that was foiled with a turnover and Canada came down in transition to score and take back the lead at 5-4.<\/p>\n
Canada led 5-4 to start the fourth and built on that with another power play goal early in the quarter to go up 6-4. Team USA kept it close when Jessica Steffens (Danville, CA\/Stanford\/NYAC) scored from outside in her first match since returning from shoulder surgery. Canada came right back with another 6 on 5 goal for a 7-5 lead as the match see-sawed back and forth. With 3:38 remaining Heather Petri (Orinda, CA\/California\/NYAC) got another one back on a nearside goal for a 7-6 match in favor of Canada.<\/p>\n
With just 2:46 left in the match Canada seemed to score a back-breaker hitting for yet another power play try, they'd go 6\/11 on the night on player advantages, and led 8-6. That's when Mathewson took over ripping the net with 2:21 left for an 8-7 match. Then at the 1:33 mark it was back to Mathewson who gathered a pass and again beat the keeper to tie the match at 8-8. Team USA would have one more crack with time winding down but a Mathewson shot would go off the post and away and it led to the shootout.<\/p>\n
The shootout was all Team USA. Their first four shooters including Maggie Steffens, Mathewson, Kelly Rulon (San Diego, CA\/UCLA\/NYAC), and Lolo Silver (Long Beach, CA\/Stanford\/NYAC) all connected. At the same time Armstrong got her hands on two Canadian shots ending the shootout early and allowing Team USA to come away with the victory.<\/p>\n
Team USA went 0\/5 on power plays and 1\/2 on penalty shots while Canada went 6\/11 on power plays. The two teams will meet again on Saturday afternoon at 4pm pst. The game can be viewed via live webstream at www.ustream.com\/usawp.<\/p>\n
Scoring<\/p>\n
USA – 12 (3, 1, 0, 4) (SO – 4) C. Mathewson 3, E. Windes 2, M. Steffens 1, J. Steffens 1, H. Petri 1
\nCAN – 10 (3, 0, 2, 3) (SO – 2)<\/p>\n
Saves – USA – B. Armstrong 8
\n6×5 – USA – 0\/5 – CAN – 6\/11
\nPenalties – USA 1\/2<\/p>\n
Shootout
\nUSA 4\/4 M. Steffens, C. Mathewson, K. Rulon, L. Silver
\nCAN 2\/4<\/p>\n
The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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