Zagreb, Croatia - July 31 - The USA Cadet Women claimed fifth place today at the World Aquatics U16 World Championships with an 11-7 win over Russia. Kate Bambury scored four goals while goalkeepers Sophia Becker and Margaret Weber combined for eight saves. The fifth place finish is the best ever for Team USA at the U16 World Championships after a 6-1 record in Zagreb.
The two sides exchanged goals early as team captain Paige Segesman netted the first two for the United States. Russia went ahead with its third before McKenna Mack and Bambury put Team USA back in front 4-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Russia connected on a pair of goals to begin the second period followed by Mack and Abby Billish doing the same for the Americans. The Russians leveled the score late but Natalie Arata found the back of the net before the half expired to give the United States a 7-6 edge.
Juliana Horton converted on a power play to start the third and Russia answered minutes later, but that would be its final goal of the game. Bambury increased the margin to 9-7 by the end of the quarter.
In the final frame, Bambury scored twice more while the Americans shut out the Russians to solidify the 11-7 victory and fifth place at the U16 World Championships.
Team USA went 4/5 on power plays and 3/3 on penalties while Russia went 1/2 on power plays with no penalties attempted.
Scoring - Stats
USA 11 (4, 3, 2, 2) K. Bambury 4, P. Segesman 2, M. Mack 2, N. Arata 1, A. Billish 1, J. Horton 1
RUS 7 (3, 3, 1, 0) V. Mikisheva 3, T. Apokina 1, P. Dergileva 1, P. Dildina 1, E. Nikiforova 1
Saves - USA - M. Weber 5, S. Becker 3 - RUS - K. Goverdovskaia 4
6x5 - USA - 4/5 - RUS - 1/2
Penalties - USA - 3/3 - RUS - 0/0
