Salvador, Brazil - August 15 - The USA Junior Women outlasted Italy 13-11 in a penalty shootout today at the World Aquatics U20 World Championships. Emily Ausmus scored five goals and was named player of the match as goalkeeper Christine Carpenter notched 14 saves. Team USA advances to the gold medal match on Saturday at 1:30pm et/10:30am pt against the winner of Spain-Greece. Live streaming of all matches is available through the World Aquatics YouTube page by clicking here. Live stats of all matches are provided from Microplus by clicking here.
This game began with Italy finding the back of the net with a long range, cross cage goal for an early lead. Solid defense followed both ways until Italy doubled its advantage midway through the opening quarter. Team USA got on the board when Lily Palma took advantage of a power play opportunity and then the captain Ausmus leveled things with a quick strike. The Italian squad retook the lead late to hold a 3-2 edge after one.
Italy came out strong to begin the second period, scoring first to go back up by two. The United States responded when Charlotte Raisin got a rebound and put back from in close. With just over two minutes to play in the half, Italy tacked on another score from a penalty shot. After a defensive stop with :15 remaining, Carpenter swam up the pool to engage in a 7-on-6 during the final possession and she took the shot herself, skipping home a buzzer beater to make the score 5-4 for Italy at the break.
One minute into the third quarter, Julia Bonaguidi rang the register from distance to tie the score. Italy retook the lead midway through the quarter but Ausmus had a response ready as she knotted things back up. Next, Team USA would look to Palma in set and she delivered after a nice move to create space. Ausmus registered a hat trick in the contest on the next possession, giving the United States its first multiple-goal lead. The Italians scored again on their final possession to set the score at 8-7 in favor of the Americans headed into the fourth.
The final frame brought the defense out of both teams. No goals were scored for over four minutes until Ausmus rose up and fired one into the back of the net to push Team USA back up by two. From there, Italy tied the game by converting on a pair of penalty shots to send the game into a penalty shootout tied at 9-9.
The shootout began with Ausmus converting the opening attempt before Italy answered. Rosalie Hassett stepped up to bury the second shot and then Italy did the same. Bonaguidi was denied in the third round as was Italy when Carpenter blocked its attempt. Allison Cohen scored on the fourth attempt before Carpenter came up with another huge save to set up Meghan McAninch for the game-winner.
Team USA went 5/12 on power plays with no penalties attempted (before shootout) while Italy went 3/4 on power plays and 3/3 on penalties (before shootout).
Scoring - Stats
USA 13 (2, 2, 4, 1, 4) E. Ausmus 5, L. Palma 2, J. Bonaguidi 1, C. Carpenter 1, A. Cohen 1, R. Hassett 1, M. McAninch 1, C. Raisin 1
ITA 11 (3, 2, 2, 2, 3) B. Cassara 4, C. Malluzzo 4, M. Bovo 1, F. Morrone 1, B. Rosta 1
Saves - USA - C. Carpenter 14 - ITA - O. Sesena 5
6x5 - USA - 5/12 - ITA - 3/4
Penalties - USA - 0/0 - ITA - 3/3
