Dubrovnik, Croatia - September 3 - Group play concluded today at the inaugural World Aquatics Water Polo 4x4 Open Championships in Dubrovnik and the USA Women bested South Africa, 3-0, before the USA Men defeated Australia, 3-0. Jenna Flynn was named Player of the Match on the women's side with six goals scored while Lauren Steele recorded seven saves. Max Irving scored eight for the men and Chris Whitelegge recorded seven saves in the cage. The USA Women advance to the quarterfinals and will play South Africa again tomorrow at 5:40am pt. The USA Men also booked a ticket to the quarterfinals and will matchup against Croatia again at 11:30am pt. The matches will stream live on the World Aquatics YouTube channel with live stats available from Microplus Timing Services.
In the women's game, Jenna Flynn sunk a lob shot to put the United States in front and then Ryann Neushul doubled the lead. From there, Nina Flynn put one away followed by Jordan Raney and Neushul again. Jenna Flynn put the finishing touches on the 7-0 set victory with two more late goals to gain a 1-0 edge.
Neushul scored three quick goals to begin the second set with a hat trick. Rachel Fattal deposited her first score before another from Nina Flynn. Jewel Roemer beat the buzzer late for a 6-0 set score and a 2-0 lead.
Haley Wan got the scoring started in the third set before South Africa finally found the back of the net. Jenna Flynn quickly retook the lead for the Americans plus she increased the lead from there with another deft lob and a penalty shot. Roemer made sure the United States kept its edge to win the set 5-1 and the match 3-0.
Team USA went 5/6 on power plays and 1/2 on penalties while South Africa went 0/5 on power plays with no penalties attempted.
Scoring - Stats
USA 3 (7, 6, 5) J. Flynn 6, R. Neushul 5, N. Flynn 2, J. Roemer 2, R. Fattal 1, J. Raney 1, H. Wan 1
RSA 0 (0, 0, 1) B. Mzimela 1
Saves - USA - L. Steele 7 - RSA - O. McMurray 2
6x5 - USA - 5/6 - RSA - 0/5
Penalties - USA - 0/0 - RSA - 0/2
On the men's side, Marko Vavic scored the opening goal of the game and then Whitelegge kept Australia at bay on a penalty shot. AJ Rossman and Max Irving extended the lead before a pair of goals from Carson Kranz. JP Ohl, Irving, and Rossman each added on to close the set 8-0 and take a 1-0 lead.
Australia scored to begin the second and then the United States took the lead behind Irving and Marko Vavic. The Aussie Sharks leveled before Marko Vavic scored again and Irving connected on a five meter try. The Australians got one back prior to another pair of goals from Irving which solidified the 6-3 set victory and 2-0 edge.
The third set started with an Australian score which was answered by Irving on an action shot double goal to give the Americans an advantage. The Sharks knotted things up and then took the lead on a redirect goal before Kranz and Jake Howerton flipped the script. Irving punctuated the set with a skip shot score to win 5-3 and claim the match 3-0.
Team USA went 2/2 on power plays and 3/3 on penalties while Australia went 1/2 on power plays and 3/4 on penalties.
Scoring - Stats
USA 3 (8, 6, 5) M. Irving 8, M. Vavic 3, C. Kranz 3, A. Rossman 2, J. Howerton 1, J. Ohl 1
AUS 0 (0, 3, 3) K. Gilchrist 3, G. Woodhouse 2, D. Kerr 1
Saves - USA - C. Whitelegge 7 - AUS - T. Markart 3
6x5 - USA - 2/2 - AUS - 1/2
Penalties - USA - 3/3 - AUS - 3/4
