Fukuoka, Japan - July 24 - The USA Women's National Team fell to Italy 8-7 earlier today in quarterfinal play at the World Aquatics World Championships and with it their bid for a fifth straight world title came to a close.
Maggie Steffens scored four goals in the loss with
Ashleigh Johnson recording nine saves in net. Team USA will now play for as high as fifth place, starting with the 5-8 semifinal on July 25 at 10pm pt against the loser of Netherlands and Canada. Live streaming coverage is available via
Peacock TV (subscription required). Live stats are available via Total Water Polo by
clicking here.
Maddie Musselman opened the scoring for a 1-0 lead early but Italy responded scoring three of the next four goals to take a 3-2 edge going to the second quarter. Italy opened the second period with a goal to lead 4-2 before Steffens came back with consecutive goals to tie the match at 4-4 at halftime. Steffens scored again to begin the third quarter, giving Team USA the lead back at 5-4 with 5:31 left to play. Italy answered once more with two straight goals to re-take the lead at 6-5 with 3:32 remaining in the third. On the next possession, Steffens drew a penalty and Musselman converted to knot the match at 6-6.
Early in the fourth Italy broke the tie with a score in the opening thirty seconds to go in front 7-6. Neither side found the cage again until 2:57 left in the quarter when Italy scored again for an 8-6 lead. Team USA tried to make one last push as
Jordan Raney connected with :21 left in the quarter on a power play. One final effort to get the ball back didn't materialize and Italy took the match by one.
The United States drew a host of power plays but failed to convert often going just 2/14 while Italy was 4/5 on the player advantage. Team USA went 2/3 on penalties while Italy had no attempts.
Notes: The title run included World Championships in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022. This is the first major event that Team USA will not medal in since the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.
Scoring -
Stats
USA 7 (2, 2, 2, 1) M. Steffens 4, M. Musselman 2, J. Raney 1
ITA 8 (3, 1, 2, 2) S. Guistini 3, R. Bianconi 2, C. Tabani 1, C. Marletta 1, D. Picozzi
Saves - USA - A. Johnson 9, ITA - C. Banchelli 9
6x5 - USA - 2/14 - ITA - 4/5
Penalties - USA - 2/3 - ITA - 0/0
