Rotterdam, Netherlands - April 13 - The Team USA Women wrapped up round-robin play at the 2023 World Aquatics World Cup qualifier with a 14-13 victory over Italy. Maggie Steffens was named Player of the Game with five goals scored while Maddie Musselman put in five as well. A replay of the game can be seen here. Team USA returns to action April 19-21 in Athens, Greece against Hungary, Netherlands, and Italy. Game dates and times will be shared in the coming days when they are available.
Early in the contest, Italy earned a penalty shot but Amanda Longan was ready in net to deny the attempt. About two minutes later, United States captain Maggie Steffens earned a penalty shot and Jordan Raney stepped up to knock it down for the first goal of the game. Midway through the quarter, Dafne Bettini lofted one home from outside to knot the score. On the subsequent possession, Steffens converted on a power play to quickly regain the lead. The Americans earned another player advantage in which Steffens found Maddie Musselman with a pretty pass for a score. Late in the opening period, Steffens took advantage of another power play before depositing her third goal of the game for a 5-1 lead after one.
Domitilla Picozzi got Italy on the board first thirty seconds into the second period followed by Giuditta Galardi cutting the deficit to two. Tara Prentice earned a penalty on the next USA trip and Steffens continued her dominant game by converting the chance for her fourth goal. Italy would not go quietly, however, as Agnese Cocchiere and Claudia Marletta became the fourth and fifth different Italians to score. With the lead down to just one, Emily Ausmus gave Team USA some breathing room on a dart from the right side. Silvia Avegno responded with a power play strike before Picozzi leveled the score for Italy. Musselman answered immediately to ensure the United States held an 8-7 lead at halftime.
The USA Women reset at the break and scored early in the third period courtesy of Rachel Fattal but Avegno found her second goal on a player advantage for Italy forty seconds later. With Italy back within one, Steffens remained locked in and registered her fifth goal of the day. Musselman went cross cage on a beautiful shot from outside before Cocchiere hit a gorgeous backhand as the sides traded scores. Italy got back within a single goal via Galardi before Musselman went bar down for her fourth of the contest and a 12-10 advantage headed into the final frame.
Just over two minutes into the fourth period, Picozzi logged her third of the game for Italy. Midway through the period, Musselman drained another power play goal to match Steffens with five in the contest. After taking a timeout, the United States widened the gap behind Fattal. With Longan excluded, Picozzi scored without the opposing goalkeeper in the cage and then Bettini pulled Italy within one with one minute to go. In the closing moments, Italy had possession of the ball down by one when Bettini fired for the tie but she was denied by Longan to preserve the 14-13 victory.
Scoring -Â Stats via World Aquatics
USA 14 (5, 3, 4, 2) M. Steffens 5, M. Musselman 5, R. Fattal 2, J. Raney 1, E. Ausmus 1
ITA 13 (1, 6, 3, 3) D. Picozzi 4, G. Galardi 2, S. Avegno 2, D. Bettini 2, A. Cocchiere 2, C. Marletta 1
Penalties: USA 2/2, ITA 0/1
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