Funchal, Portugal - September 11 - The USA Women's Junior National Team finished group play 2-0-1 at the FINA Junior World Championship and earned a bye into the quarterfinals following a 9-8 win over Australia. For the second straight match
Jewel Roemer came up clutch, this time connecting on a power play goal with 1:46 to play in the fourth quarter.
Georgia Phillips made a save with just two seconds to play to secure the victory. Phillips posted six saves on the day while
Ryann Neushul led the scoring with three goals. Team USA will have Thursday off before resuming play in the quarterfinal round on Friday at 11am et/8am pt against an opponent to be determined. Live streaming is available at
FINATV.live (subscription required). For a complete team roster
click here, for more on the event including full results,
click here.
Australia was the aggressor early opening up a 3-0 lead in the first quarter and taking a 3-1 lead into the second quarter. They went in front 4-1 in the second quarter before
Sarah Klass got Team USA back on the board to make it 4-2 at halftime. Team USA battled back in the third tying the game at 4-4 on goals from Neushul and
Val Ayala. Australia went back in front at 5-4 with 3:21 to play in the quarter.
Jenna Flynn scored two of the next three goals and that left the match all even at 6-6 going to the fourth.
Team USA took their first lead of the match early in the fourth on a Neushul goal for a 7-6 lead. Australia responded scoring two of the next three goals to even the match at 8-8 with 3:17 to play. That set the stage for Roemer's heroics as she delivered the game-winner with time winding down to secure the win.
Scoring
USA 9 (1, 1, 4, 3) R. Neushul 3, J. Flynn 2, S. Klass 1, A. Hill 1, J. Roemer 1, V. Ayala 1
AUS 8 (3, 1, 2, 2) J. Oberman 3, A. Andrews 3, C. Traplin 1, C. Andrews 1
Saves - USA - G. Phillips - 6 - AUS - C. Durston 6
6x5 - USA - 2/4 - AUS 2/6
