Athens, Greece - January 31 - The U.S. Women's Senior National Team defeated Greece today 14-10 in an exhibition game in Athens while preparing for the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar. Maddie Musselman recorded a hat trick in the contest while Maggie Steffens, Ryann Neushul, and Jewel Roemer each put home two goals. A replay of the game can be accessed here.
Rachel Fattal got the scoring started for Team USA two minutes into the game and Greece responded immediately to level the score at 1-1. From there, the United States controlled the remainder of the opening period. Musselman recorded her first goal of the day and Denise Mammolito put home another with both coming via the skipshot. With ten seconds to play in the quarter, Emily Ausmus buried a penalty shot to put the Americans in front 4-1 after one.
The host nation had an answer in the second period, scoring back-to-back goals to open the frame. Musselman and Steffens took advantage on power play opportunities for Team USA midway through the quarter but it was Greece who controlled the second eight minutes. The hosts put away three more goals to tie things up 6-6 at halftime.
In the third, Roemer found the back of the net to regain the lead. It was the start of the largest offensive output by quarter for either team. Steffens, Jenna Flynn, Neushul, Musselman, and Neushul again accounted for the six American goals in the period. The Greek side scored thrice in the frame and Team USA led 12-9 heading into the fourth.
The United States added to its lead with Roemer converting a penalty to begin the fourth quarter. Midway through the period, Greece fired one in from long distance for its tenth score. Team USA controlled the pace for the next few minutes before Tara Prentice put the finishing touches on the win with a hard-fought goal from two meters out to set the final score at 14-10.
Scoring
USA 14 (4, 2, 6, 2) M. Musselman 3, M. Steffens 2, R. Neushul 2, J. Roemer 2, E. Ausmus 1, R. Fattal 1, J. Flynn 1, D. Mammolito 1, T. Prentice 1
GRE 10 (1, 5, 3, 1) E. Ninou 3, E. Xenaki 2, E. Plevritou 1, N. Eleftheriadou 1, A. Asimaki 1, A. Giannopoulou 1, F. Tricha 1
Â
