Fukuoka, Japan - July 20 - The USA Women's National Team beat France 16-5 at the World Aquatics World Championships earlier today.
Tara Prentice scored four times and was named player of the match while eight others added goals to pace a balanced offensive attack.
Ashleigh Johnson recorded 14 saves in net as the USA defense allowed just two goals in the first three quarters. Team USA advances to the quarterfinals with a match early on Monday morning at 3am et/12am pt. Live streaming coverage is available via
Peacock TV (subscription required). Live stats are available via Total Water Polo by
clicking here.
Team USA jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Prentice opened the game with back-to-back goals, followed by
Maddie Musselman converting on a penalty shot and
Kaleigh Gilchrist scoring on a power play. With 1:34 remaining in the first, a score from Camelia Bouloukbachi got France on the board. The United States answered on the ensuing possession when
Ryann Neushul scored to close the period in front 5-1. The second period saw
Jordan Raney and Musselman score in the opening minute before Aurelie Battu found the back of the cage for the French, making the score 7-2 at the break.
In the third period, Prentice earned a hat trick followed by
Rachel Fattal, who buried a penalty shot, and
Jenna Flynn adding to the cause before Fattal capped the quarter with a player advantage goal for an 11-2 edge heading to the fourth. In the final frame, France put three on the board from Orsolya Hertzka, Bouloukbachi, and Louise Guillet as Team USA got goals from Neushul,
Ella Woodhead,
Maggie Steffens, Raney, and Prentice one more time to confirm the 16-5 win.
Team USA went 5/10 on power plays and 2/2 on penalties while France went 1/2 on power plays and did not attempt a penalty.
Scoring -
Stats
USA 16 (5, 2, 4, 5) T. Prentice 4, M. Musselman 2, R. Fattal 2, R. Neushul 2, J. Raney 2, M. Steffens 1, K. Gilchrist 1, J. Flynn 1, E. Woodhead 1
FRA 5 (1, 1, 0, 3) C. Bouloukbachi 2, L. Guillet 1, O. Hertzka 1, A. Battu 1
Saves - USA - A. Johnson 14 - FRA - M. Rycraw 6
6x5 - USA - 5/10 - FRA - 1/2
Penalties - USA - 2/2 - FRA - 0/0
