Zagreb, Croatia - July 26 - The USA Cadet Women defeated Canada 13-7 today at the World Aquatics U16 World Championships. Abigail Billish led the offense with five goals scored while goalkeepers Margaret Weber and Sophia Becker combined for nine saves. Team USA will face Romania on Monday, July 27 at 11:30am pt. The match will stream live on the World Aquatics YouTube channel with live stats available on Microplus Timing Services.
The United States opened the scoring when Abby Billish converted an extra player shot goal for the game's first goal. Canada leveled and then Abby Billish put the Americans back in front from a penalty shot. Blake Hofley joined the fray with a power play goal before Abby Billish got out on the counter attack and put one away for a first quarter hat trick. Canada converted its lone penalty shot to set the score at 4-2 after one.
Teodora Diaconu registered back-to-back goals to begin the second period but Canada responded with its own pair of scores. Late in the half, Juliana Horton pushed the Team USA lead to 7-4 on an extra player shot goal.
The United States took control in the third, outscoring Canada five to one in the quarter. Catherine Bambury (Kate) doubled the advantage from five meters before Abby Billish scored again and Gia Jacob notched two in a row. The Canadians stopped the run with just under two minutes left in the quarter prior to McKenna Mack converting a penalty shot goal for a 12-5 edge headed to the final frame.
Abby Billish capped off her big day with her fifth goal early in the fourth period. From there, Canada managed to score two more but it was not enough to catch the Americans who held on for the 13-7 win.
Team USA went 5/7 on power plays and 4/4 on penalties while Canada had no power play opportunities and went 1/1 on penalties.
Scoring - Stats
USA 13 (4, 3, 5, 1) A. Billish 5, T. Diaconu 2, G. Jacob 2, K. Bambury 1, J. Horton 1, B. Hofley 1, M. Mack 1
CAN 7 (2, 2, 1, 2) C. Milleker Shyiak 3, D. Khramtsova 2, G. Corkum 1, I. Hyman 1
Saves - USA - M. Weber 5, S. Becker 4 - CAN - A. Rotheisler 4, A. Addante 2
6x5 - USA - 5/7 - CAN - 0/0
Penalties - USA - 4/4 - CAN - 1/1
