Zagreb, Croatia - July 30 - The USA Cadet Women got back on track with a 15-5 win over New Zealand today at the World Aquatics U16 World Championships. Kate Bambury led the offense with four goals while goalkeepers Sophia Becker and Margaret Weber combined for eight saves to anchor the defense. Team USA will play Russia for 5th Place on Friday, July 31 at 8:30am pt. The match will stream live on the World Aquatics YouTube channel with live statistics available at Microplus Timing Services.

Team captain Paige Segesman made sure the United States got off on the right foot with the game's first two goals on counter attack and power play opportunities. Natalie Arata and Blake Hofley doubled the advantage for a 4-0 lead after one quarter of play.

Bambury put away back-to-back goals to start the second and the Americans were rolling. Louise Walls added to the lead before New Zealand scored its first of the game. With seconds left in the half, McKenna Mack stepped up to bury a penalty shot and set the score at 8-1.

New Zealand regrouped at the break and came out determined, scoring the first two goals of the third quarter. Walls deposited her second and third scores into the back of the net on either side of another New Zealand goal for a 10-4 scoreline after three.

In the final frame, Hofley began the scoring which was followed by Bambury, Segesman, and Bambury again. From there, New Zealand got one back from a penalty shot but Gia Jacob put a bow on the 15-5 win with a late goal.

Team USA went 1/1 on power plays and 2/2 on penalties while New Zealand went 3/8 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties.

Scoring - Stats
USA 15 (4, 4, 2, 5) K. Bambury 4, P. Segesman 3, L. Walls 3, B. Hofley 2, N. Arata 1, G. Jacob 1, M. Mack 1
NZL 5 (0, 1, 3, 1) E. Rope 3, I. Nathan 2
Saves - USA - S. Becker 5, M. Weber 3 - NZL - Y. Yang 2, J. Laury 1
6x5 - USA - 1/1 - NZL - 3/8
Penalties - USA - 2/2 - NZL - 1/1