WATER POLO USA Women Defeat Hungary 8-7 In Doha To Claim Eighth World Championship Title

 

Doha, Qatar - February 16 - The USA Women's National Team claimed GOLD at the 2024 World Aquatics World Championships with a 8-7 win over Hungary. Rachel Fattal led the scoring with three goals while Maggie Steffens added two in the win. Ashleigh Johnson had a total of 12 saves for Team USA and was named top goalkeeper of the tourney. The victory marks the eighth world championship title in program history, by far the most of any program in the world in men's or women's water polo. It joins Team USA titles in 2003, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022.

In the first quarter, Steffens, Jordan Raney and Fattal each scored unanswered goals in the opening six minutes of play. Hungary added two late goals to make the score 3-2 at the end of the first quarter. Fattal opened the scoring in the second quarter but Hungary was quick to respond, keeping the score close, 4-3. Maddie Musselman would score with 5:26 left to go in the half, then Hungary would close out the first half with one additional goal to make it 5-4 in favor of Team USA at halftime.

The third quarter proved to be a highly defensive affair as Team USA did not get any goals and Hungary earned one to tie the game at five. Veterans Steffens and Fattal each scored goals to make the score 7-5 with 4:37 left in the game. Hungary attempted to get on the scoreboard again, but Johnson was there for one of her 12 stops on the day. In the waning moments, Ryann Neushul would score the final goal of the game earning Team USA the gold medal.

With the win, Maggie Steffens, Rachel Fattal and Maddie Musselman all earned their fifth World Championship title. It also marks the first senior World Championship titles in the careers of Emily Ausmus, Jenna Flynn, Jewel Roemer and Jovana Sekulic. Head Coach Adam Krikorian has now led Team USA to six World Championship crowns.

The United States went 3/10 on power plays while Hungary was 2/6 on power plays and neither team attempted a penalty.

Scoring - Scoresheet

USA 8 (3, 2, 0, 3) R. Fattal 3, M. Steffens 2, M. Musselman 1, R. Neushul 1, J. Raney 1

HUN 7 (2, 2, 1, 2) K. Garda 2, R. Keszthelyi 2, K. Farago 1, G. Gurisatti 1, R. Parkes 1

Saves - USA - A. Johnson 12 - HUN - A. Magyari 1, B. Neszmely 4

6x5 - USA - 3/10 - HUN 2/6

Penalties - USA - 0/0 - HUN - 0/0