Perth, Australia - January 15 - The USA Women's National Team beat Australia 9-6 today in Perth.
Jordan Raney scored three and
Maggie Steffens added two for the United States. Team USA will play Australia one more time in Brisbane on Thursday morning at 3am et/12am pt. The match can be streamed by
clicking here (may not be available in the United States).
Australia started strong in this contest, getting opening period goals from Danjiela Jackovich and Zoe Arancini while holding Team USA scoreless, as they led 2-0 after the first. The United States got on the board first to begin the second quarter and then Raney converted back-to-back penalty shots to give the Americans a 3-2 lead at the halftime break.
Team USA captain
Maggie Steffens scored the opening goal of the second half before Australian captain Zoe Arancini responded for the home team.
Emily Ausmus and Steffens answered right back for the Americans prior to another score for the U.S. and Tenealle Fasala closed the period with a goal for Australia, giving Team USA a 7-4 advantage after three periods. In the final frame, the United States put the game out of reach behind Julia Bonaguidi and Raney, who both scored to start the fourth and push the lead to 9-4. Brooke Mcclean and Sienna Hearn scored for Australia late in the game and Team USA earned the 9-6 win.
Scoring -
Stats via Water Polo Australia
USA 9 (0, 3, 4, 2) J. Raney 3, M. Steffens 2, E. Ausmus 1, J. Bonguidi 1, Unknown 2
AUS 6 (2, 0, 2, 2) Z. Arancini 2, S. Hearn 1, D. Jackovich 1, T. Fasala 1, B. Mcclean 1
