NEWPORT BEACH, California, July 9. IN front of more than 1,000 fans at Corona del Mar High School the U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team topped Hungary 9-4, in a match nationally televised on the NBC Sports Network. The game capped a four game sweep by Team USA of the Hungarians in the final tune-up prior to the 2012 Olympic Games. Kelly Rulon (San Diego, CA\/UCLA\/NYAC) scored three goals in the win while Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI\/Michigan\/NYAC) and CdM alum Tumua Anae (Newport Beach, CA\/USC\/SOCAL) combined for eight saves in net. <\/p>\n
It was Hungary that started the game off strongly, scoring the first goal of the match less than a minute in for a 1-0 lead. Team USA answered with a Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA\/Stanford\/Olympic Club) lob shot score, on a power play with 5:41 left, evening the match at 1-1. Hungary responded with a power play three minutes later to go back in front 2-1, and that would be the score at the end of the period. <\/p>\n
In the second Villa came calling again with her second goal to again tie the match, this time at 2-2, with 5:28 left in the period. A little over four minutes later Rulon scored on a power play and Team USA took their first lead with :50 left. Hungary scored on a lob on their next possession to knot the game at 3-3. With just :22 left in the half, Team USA surged back ahead with a score from Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA\/USC\/NYAC) for a 4-3 advantage. Physical play, a trademark of the four game series, bubbled over moments later when Team USA's Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA\/Stanford\/Stanford) and Hungary's Barbara Bujka were excluded for the game after getting tangled up in transition. Team USA would hold a 4-3 lead at halftime.<\/p>\n
The third quarter saw the United States blow the match open. Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA\/Stanford\/Diablo) opened the period with a power play goal and a 5-3 lead for Team USA. Moments later Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA\/USC\/Santa Barbara WPF) scored inside for a 6-3 lead. Not long after it was Elsie Windes (Portland, OR\/California\/Tualatin Hills WP) ripping the net for a 7-3 advantage. Team USA kept on cruising as Rulon got her second goal of the day, and with 4:15 left in the match, the United States was in control, leading 8-3. Rulon wasn't finished as she capped her scoring day with a lob from well beyond seven meters for a 9-3 lead. Hungary added a late goal in the period but the damage had been done and Team USA finished the period up 9-4.<\/p>\n
In the fourth Team USA put the game away on defense. Holding a 9-4 lead, the United States did not allow a single goal by the Hungarians. While Team USA did not score either in the fourth period, it wasn't needed as they came away winners by five, 9-4. Team USA went 5\/10 on power plays while Hungary was 1\/5. Neither team attempted a penalty shot.<\/p>\n
Next up for Team USA is a match with Hungary to open the 2012 Olympic Games on July 30.<\/p>\n
Scoring
\nUSA 9 (1, 3, 5, 0) K. Rulon 3, B. Villa 2, L. Wenger 1, K. Craig 1, E. Windes 1, M. Steffens 1
\nHUN 4 (2, 1, 1, 0)
\nSaves – USA – B. Armstrong – 7 – T. Anae 1
\n6×5 – USA – 5\/10 – HUN – 1\/5
\nPenalties – USA – 0\/0 – HUN 0\/0<\/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":"
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