Zagreb, Croatia - July 28 - The USA Cadet Women outlasted Italy 6-4 today to conclude group play at the World Aquatics U16 World Championships. Catherine Bambury (Kate) led the charge with four goals while goalkeepers Margaret Weber and Sophia Becker combined for five saves. Team USA advances to the quarterfinals against Hungary on Wednesday, July 29 at 7:00am pt. The match will stream live on the World Aquatics YouTube channel with live stats available on Microplus Timing Services.

Team USA struck first when team captain Paige Segesman found the back of the net. Italy responded with three consecutive goals to grab an early lead before Bambury got one back from a penalty shot attempt to set the score at 3-2 in favor of the Italians after one.

With just under four minutes left in the second, Italy scored again to double its lead. The United States failed to score in the period as Italy held a 4-2 halftime advantage.

Facing arguably its toughest test of the tournament thus far, the Americans answered the call on the defensive end of the pool as the Italians went scoreless for the remainder of the game. Bambury stepped up to bury two more penalty shots and level the score at 4-4 after three.

In the final frame, the Team USA defense continued to stifle the Italians. Bambury found the back of the net for the go-ahead goal on a power play and Segesman added an insurance goal late to confirm the 6-4 victory.

Team USA went 1/6 on power plays and 3/3 on penalties while Italy went 0/1 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties.

Scoring - Stats
USA 6 (2, 0, 2, 2) K. Bambury 4, P. Segesman 2
ITA 4 (3, 1, 0, 0) T. Costa 3, R. Vezzoli 1
Saves - USA - M. Weber 3, S. Becker 2 - ITA - S. Gulizia 6
6x5 - USA - 1/6 - ITA - 0/1
Penalties - USA - 3/3 - ITA - 1/1