Puerto de la Cruz, Spain - August 18 - The USA Youth Women beat Croatia 18-6 today at the World Aquatics U18 World Championships. Kirra Pantaleon scored five goals while goalkeeper Eden Stanley notched thirteen saves in net. Team USA continues play in Tenerife with time and opponent TBD. The match will stream live on the World Aquatics YouTube channel with live statistics available on Microplus Timing Services.
The United States scored first when Pantaleon buried a five meter penalty shot but Croatia leveled immediately on a player advantage. Pantaleon came right back with another goal before Player of the Match Chrissy Flynn added to the lead. Later in the quarter, Gabby Alexson fought through tough defense in set for a goal and Charlotte Raisin converted another penalty attempt for a 5-1 edge after one.
The second period began with a quick power play goal from Mia Fabros and then Croatia got one back on a long range connection. Pantaleon recorded a first half hat trick on a counterattack prior to a third Croatian score. Pantaleon continued her big night with a fourth goal before another from Croatia left the halftime score at 8-4.
Pantaleon kept it rolling in the third quarter, pushing the lead to five from a five meter penalty shot and then Raisin slid a sidearm strike into the back of the net for the Americans' tenth. Eden Coughran leapt into the air for a catch-and-shoot score prior to Eve Webb finding the back of the net and Flynn putting a penalty shot away. The Croatians scored twice in the last minute before Webb deposited her second score for a 14-6 advantage at the end of three.
Coughran scored the first goal of the fourth midway through the period and then Flynn put another penalty shot away for a personal hat trick. From there, Alexson added another and Maggie Ryan set the final score at 18-6 for the Americans.
Team USA went 6/8 on power plays and 5/5 on penalties while Croatia went 3/10 on power plays and 1/2 on penalties.
Scoring - Stats
USA 18 (5, 3, 6, 4) K. Pantaleon 5, C. Flynn 3, G. Alexson 2, E. Coughran 2, C. Raisin 2, E. Webb 2, M. Fabros 1, M. Ryan 1
CRO 6 (1, 3, 2, 0) M. Jankovic 2, I. Garic 1, N. Jankovic 1, G. Stipanov 1, L. Srhoj 1
Saves - USA - E. Stanley 13, G. Adams 3 - CRO - E. Hanza 4, M. Domazet 2
6x5 - USA - 6/8 - CRO - 3/10
Penalties - USA - 5/5 - CRO - 1/2
