Funchal, Portugal - September 15 - The USA Women's Junior National Team came up just short in the fifth place match of the FINA Women's Junior World Championship, losing to Spain 10-9 on the final day of competition.
Jewel Roemer scored three goals to lead the offense with
Georgia Phillips recording eight saves in net. Team USA finishes play in Portugal with a 3-2-1 record earning wins over Australia, Hungary and China to take sixth place. Live streaming of all matches are available on-demand at
FINATV.live (subscription required). For a complete team roster
click here, for more on the event including full results,
click here.
A scoreless first quarter gave way to seven combined goals in the second as Team USA built a 4-3 lead over Spain.
Ryann Neushul and Roemer started the scoring for an early 2-0 lead before Spain got on the board.
Noelle Wijnbelt and Roemer scored two of the next three goals for a 4-2 advantage with 2:53 left in the half. Spain added one more goal before intermission and made it a 4-3 match at the break.
Spain tied the game early in the third quarter only to see
Jenna Flynn and Roemer score to put the United States ahead 6-4 with 4:23 left in the period. Spain countered with two straight goals to end the quarter and the match was tied at 6-6 going into the final eight minutes. Spain took the lead in the first two minutes of the fourth and then went in front 9-7 with 3:03 left.
Sarah Klass made it 9-8 only to see Spain add another for a 10-8 lead. Neushul found the back of the net with :17 to play to make it a one goal game but the United States would get no closer as Spain took the match by one to secure fifth place.
Scoring
USA 9 (0, 4, 2, 3) J. Roemer 3, R. Neushul 2, S. Klass 1, N. Wijnbelt 1, B. Weber 1, J. Flynn 1
ESP 10 (0, 3, 3, 4) E. Velayos 3, A. Diez 2, H. Zurita 1, P. Amoros 1, P. Arrones 1, R. Ruiz 1, S. Espinagosa 1
Saves - USA - G. Phillips 8 - ESP - S. Perez 1
