Gwangju, South Korea - July 16 - The USA Women's National Team overcame an early deficit and a late rally to earn a 12-9 win over the Netherlands on the second day of action at the FINA World Championships. The win pushes Team USA to 2-0 in Group A play putting them in prime position to secure the group title and earn a bye to the quarterfinals.
Maddie Musselman (Newport Beach, CA/UCLA/CdM Aquatics) and
Kaleigh Gilchrist (Newport Beach, CA/USC/NYAC) scored three goals each in the victory with
Amanda Longan (Moorpark, CA/USC/Trojan) posting eight saves in net. Team USA returns to action on Thursday when they close out group play against South Africa at 4:30pm local time/3:30am et/12:30am pt. The match will stream live on Olympic Channel and can be accessed by
clicking here. It will air on delay on Olympic Channel at 4am et/1am pt with that live stream available by
clicking here. Cable authentication required.
The Netherlands struck first with a 1-0 lead in the opening minutes of the match before Gilchrist delivered two goals in the period to put the United States in front 3-2. The Netherlands scored the first two in the second to pull back in front 4-3. Musselman had the last word in the half to tie the game at 4-4 at intermission. Team USA went up two in the third quarter on goals from
Makenzie Fischer (Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET) and Musselman to lead 6-4 two minutes into the quarter. The Netherlands again battled back, this time tying the game at 7-7 before
Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/NYAC) hit for the final score and a 8-7 lead going to the fourth.
In the fourth the United States appeared to put the match away when a
Kiley Neushul (Isla Vista, CA/Stanford/NYAC) score made it 10-7 with 4:47 to play. The Netherlands then scored the next two goals to draw within one at 10-9. Team USA had answers as Musselman and
Rachel Fattal (Seal Beach, CA/UCLA/SOCAL) followed with goals to close things out with a three goal win.
Team USA went 4/9 on power plays with no penalties attempted while the Netherlands went 1/6 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties.
For more on the USA roster at the FINA World Championships,
click here for the roster announcement. For more on broadcast coverage,
click here.
Scoring -
Stats
USA 12 (3, 1, 4, 4) M. Musselman 3, K. Gilchrist 3, M. Steffens 2, R. Fattal 1, M. Seidemann 1, M. Fischer 1, K. Neushul 1
NED 9 (2, 2, 3, 2) M. Keuning 2, M. Megens 1, D. Genee 1, I. Wolves 1, S. Van der Sloot 1, N. Stomphorst 1, B. Rogge 1, S. van de Kraats 1
Saves - USA - A. Longan 8 - NED - J. Koenders 11
6x5 - USA 4/9 - NED 1/6
Penalties - USA - 0-0 - NED 1/1
