Coimbra, Portugal - September 15 - The U.S. Women's Junior National Team claimed fifth place at the 2023 World Aquatics Junior World Championships today with a 14-13 win over Greece. Ava Stryker scored five goals to lead the United States while Rachel Gazzaniga added three and was named Player of the Game. Lauren Steele notched ten saves in net.
Gazzaniga opened the scoring for Team USA and then Dionysia Koureta leveled for Greece early. From there, great defense ensued both ways for the rest of the quarter and the sides headed to the second tied 1-1.
Koureta found her second goal early in the second period and Greece took its first lead of the contest. Nearly two minutes later, Koureta notched a hat trick with her third score to increase the lead. Midway through the period, Foteini Tricha got behind the USA defense on the counter attack and put one home before Emma Lineback sank a long-range shot for the United States. On the next possession, Christina Siouti took advantage of a power play opportunity and then Sofia Tornarou converted a penalty shot for the Greeks. With :08 left in the half, Jenna Flynn buried a penalty shot to bring the score to 6-3 in favor of Greece at the break.
Stryker was able to score on a power play to open the second half, the Americans' first conversion with an advantage. Siouti was quick to respond for Greece but Stryker had her own answer with a rocket into the top of the cage. Tricha stepped up to knock down a penalty for the Greeks before Gazzaniga worked inside for her second score. From there, Stryker lofted one home over the defenders on a counter attack for a quick third quarter hat trick. Gazzaniga rose up and slammed one in for her third goal to level the score. Then, Nefeli Chrysoula Chaldaiou scored for Greece but Flynn and Julia Bonaguidi did the same for Team USA to regain the lead, 10-9, for the first time since the opening goal.
In the final frame, Stryker began with her fourth score and then Bonaguidi snuck one over the line to widen the lead. Stryker came to play and deposited her fifth goal before Tricha scored her third for Greece. Koureta put home her fourth of the contest on a player advantage and then Tricha did the same to cut the deficit to one. With :18 to go, Lineback doubled the advantage on a power play before Koureta scored again but it was not enough and Team USA claimed fifth place with a 14-13 victory.
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Stats via World Aquatics
USA 14 (1, 2, 7, 4) A. Stryker 5, R. Gazzaniga 3, J. Flynn 2, E. Lineback 2, J. Bonaguidi 2
GRE 13 (1, 5, 3, 4) D. Koureta 5, F. Tricha 4, C. Siouti 2, S. Tornarou 1, N. Chaldaiou 1
Penalties: USA 1/1, GRE 2/2
6-on-5: USA 4/11, GRE 3/6
Saves: USA 10 (L. Steele)
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