Ashleigh Johnson
Jeff Cable

Women's Senior National Team

USA Women Power Their Way To Quarterfinal Round With 17-5 Win Over France

Ashleigh Johnson posted nine saves in the win over France
Paris, France - August 2 - The U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team powered their way into the top eight and a spot in the quarterfinal round with a 17-5 win over France. Maddie Musselman had a big day, delivering four goals to lead an attack that saw 10 different athletes find the cage. Ashleigh Johnson and Amanda Longan did the job in goal combining for 11 saves. Team USA completes group play at 3-1 and has a day off on August 4. They return to action in the quarterfinals on August 6 against an opponent to be determined. Information on the match including broadcast details will be shared as soon as they are available. Click here for more overall broadcast details. Click here for more on USA Water Polo at the Paris Olympic Games. 

It was scoreless early on until Musselman broke through with her first goal at the 4:49 mark to give Team USA a 1-0 lead. Jenna Flynn converted on a penalty shot score less than two minutes later and quickly the United States had a two goal lead. France stopped the run with a score but Jovana Sekulic connected on a power play strike with less than a minute to play in the first for a 3-1 lead. Jewel Roemer opened the scoring in the second half with a power play for a 4-1 lead. France answered on the next possession to close the deficit to two at 4-2 but that would be as close as they would get in this match. Musselman came back with a goal on the power play at the 4:44 mark followed by a Tara Prentice power play score moments later for a 6-2 edge. Rachel Fattal came calling a few minutes later for a 7-2 lead and Team USA cruised into the intermission ahead 7-3.

The offense for the United States was just getting warmed up as in the third quarter they exploded for six goals. After France scored the opening goal, Team USA ripped off five straight scores to build a 12-4 edge. In the scoring spree Musselman, Fattal, Jordan Raney,  Flynn and Ryann Neushul all scored with three of the tallies on the power play and one on the penalty. France stopped the run with a goal but Neushul came right back with another for a 13-5 lead going to the fourth. 

Early in the fourth Fattal got her own rebound on a missed penalty shot and drew another penalty, then Maggie Steffens stepped up for a penalty shot and scored. With 5:41 to play Musselman finished her scoring for the day with another power play to make it 15-5. With less than two minutes to play the United States tacked on two more goals as Kaleigh Gilchrist and Flynn hit to secure the 17-5 victory.

Team USA was excellent on the advantage going 9/10 while France went 1/4. Team USA also went 2/3 on penalties while France did not attempt a penalty shot.

Scoring - Stats
USA 17 (3, 4, 6, 4) M. Musselman 4, J. Flynn 3, R. Neushul 2, R. Fattal 2, T. Prentice 1, J. Raney 1, M. Steffens 1, J. Roemer 1, K. Gilchrist 1, J. Sekulic 1
FRA 5 (1, 2, 2, 0) O. Hertzka 2, T. Raspo 1, A. Daule 1
Saves - USA - A. Johnson 9, A. Longan 2 - FRA - M. Rycraw 8, P. Marineaud Peret 1
6x5 - USA - 9/10 - FRA - 1/4
Penalties - USA - 2/3 - FRA - 0/0
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Players Mentioned

Rachel Fattal

Rachel Fattal

Attacker
5' 8"
Professional
UCLA / NYAC
Kaleigh Gilchrist

Kaleigh Gilchrist

Attacker
5' 9"
Professional
USC / NYAC
Ashleigh Johnson

Ashleigh Johnson

Goalkeeper
6' 1"
Professional
Princeton / NYAC
Amanda Longan

Amanda Longan

Goalkeeper
6' 1"
Professional
USC / NYAC
Maddie Woepse

Maddie Woepse

Attacker
5' 11"
Professional
UCLA / NYAC
Ryann Neushul

Ryann Neushul

Attacker
5' 7"
Redshirt Senior
Stanford / NYAC / Santa Barbara 805
Tara Prentice

Tara Prentice

Center
6' 0"
Professional
UC Irvine / NYAC / Sabadell
Jordan Raney

Jordan Raney

Defender
5' 10"
Professional
Stanford / NYAC
Jewel Roemer

Jewel Roemer

Attacker
5' 6"
Redshirt Senior
Stanford / NYAC / 680
Maggie Steffens

Maggie Steffens

Attacker
5' 9"
Professional
Stanford / NYAC / Sabadell
Jovana Sekulic

Jovana Sekulic

Center
Redshirt Junior
Princeton / NYAC
Jenna Flynn

Jenna Flynn

Attacker
5' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
Stanford / NYAC / 680

Players Mentioned

Rachel Fattal

Rachel Fattal

5' 8"
Professional
UCLA / NYAC
Attacker
Kaleigh Gilchrist

Kaleigh Gilchrist

5' 9"
Professional
USC / NYAC
Attacker
Ashleigh Johnson

Ashleigh Johnson

6' 1"
Professional
Princeton / NYAC
Goalkeeper
Amanda Longan

Amanda Longan

6' 1"
Professional
USC / NYAC
Goalkeeper
Maddie Woepse

Maddie Woepse

5' 11"
Professional
UCLA / NYAC
Attacker
Ryann Neushul

Ryann Neushul

5' 7"
Redshirt Senior
Stanford / NYAC / Santa Barbara 805
Attacker
Tara Prentice

Tara Prentice

6' 0"
Professional
UC Irvine / NYAC / Sabadell
Center
Jordan Raney

Jordan Raney

5' 10"
Professional
Stanford / NYAC
Defender
Jewel Roemer

Jewel Roemer

5' 6"
Redshirt Senior
Stanford / NYAC / 680
Attacker
Maggie Steffens

Maggie Steffens

5' 9"
Professional
Stanford / NYAC / Sabadell
Attacker
Jovana Sekulic

Jovana Sekulic

Redshirt Junior
Princeton / NYAC
Center
Jenna Flynn

Jenna Flynn

5' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
Stanford / NYAC / 680
Attacker