WATER POLO USA Women To Play For Fifth At World Championships After 16-4 Win Over Canada

 

Fukuoka, Japan - July 26 - The USA Women's National Team returned to form, two days after a heartbreaking loss to Italy, defeating Canada 16-4 to advance to the fifth place match at the World Aquatics World Championships. Jenna Flynn scored five goals in the victory to pace a balanced attack on offense with Ashleigh Johnson recording 13 saves. Team USA now moves on to the fifth place game on July 28 at 12:30am pt where they will meet Hungary. Live streaming coverage is available via Peacock TV (subscription required). Live stats are available via Total Water Polo by clicking here.

Team USA came out firing on all cylinders as five different players found the net in the first quarter to help take a 5-1 edge after the opening eight minutes. Maggie Steffens started the scoring and Flynn finished it with the first of her five scores. The second quarter saw the scoring slow but the United States still outscored Canada 2-1 thanks to Rachel Fattal. The two-time Olympic champ hit on a power play in the opening minute and then came back with another power play with 2:41 left in the period for a 7-2 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter Team USA left no doubt as they ran off six goals to take full control of the match. After Jordan Raney opened the period with a goal, Emily Ausmus scored the first World Championship goal of her career for a 9-2 lead. Flynn took it from there scoring three of the next five goals in the quarter to help build a 13-3 advantage going to the fourth. Flynn stayed hot, scoring to open the fourth to make it 14-3 less than thirty seconds into the quarter. Canada got one back moments later but that was all for their offense on this day. Ausmus followed with a power play goal and Tara Prentice closed things out with a sweeping shot from two meters to confirm the 16-4 win.

Team USA was much improved on the player advantage going 6/11 while Canada was 1/8. The United States also went 3/3 on penalties while Canada had no penalty shot attempts.

Scoring - Stats

USA 16 (5, 2, 6, 3) J. Flynn 5, R. Fattal 3, E. Ausmus 3, T. Prentice 2, M. Musselman 1, M. Steffens 1, J. Raney 1

CAN 4 (1, 1, 1, 1) S. Browne 2, K. Paul 1, S. la Roche 1

Saves - USA - A. Johnson 13 - CAN - J. Gaudreault 3, R. Jaffe 1

6x5 - USA - 6/11 - CAN - 1/8

Penalties - USA - 3/3 - CAN - 0/0