Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain - November 4 - The USA Women's National Team closed out group play at the FINA World League Super Final earlier today by defeating Italy, 11-10.
Emily Ausmus, Jenna Flynn,
Ryann Neushul, Ella Woodhead, and
Jordan Raney all scored twice to lead a balanced offensive attack while
Ashleigh Johnson recorded four saves in net. Team USA will now face Hungary in the semifinals tomorrow morning at 9:40am et/6:40am pt. The match can be streamed live on the FINA YouTube page by
clicking here.
Team USA got out to an early 5-2 lead after the first period via goals from Neushul, Raney (2), Woodhead, and Ausmus. In the second quarter, Italy responded with four goals scored while the Americans added two by Ausmus and Woodhead to hold a 7-6 halftime advantage. In the third period, Neushul converted on a 6-on-5 for Team USA before two goals from the Italians tied the score at 8-8 going into the fourth period. Italy took the lead twice in the final frame. First, Domitilla Picozzi scored 0:24 into the quarter (9-8) before Flynn put home her first score of the contest to tie the game again (9-9). Then, Claudia Roberta Marletta found the back of the cage on a penalty shot for Italy's final advantage (10-9). With time winding down, the United States had Flynn and
Jewel Roemer both convert on power play opportunities to push Team USA in front for good, 11-10.
The United States went 8/14 on power plays with no penalties attempted while Italy went 4/7 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties.
Scoring -
Stats via 6-8 Sports
USA 11 (5, 2, 1, 3) E. Ausmus 2, J. Flynn 2, R. Neushul 2, E. Woodhead 2, J. Raney 2, J. Roemer 1
ITA 10 (2, 4, 2, 2) D. Picozzi 2, R. Bianconi 2, C. Marletta 2, S. Avegno 1, S. Giustini 1, D. Bettini 1, V. Palmieri 1
Saves - USA - A. Johnson 4 - ITA - C. Banchelli 13
6x5 - USA - 8/14 - ITA - 4/7
Penalties - USA - 0/0 - ITA - 1/1
