WATER POLO USA Women Power Their Way To Quarterfinal Round With 17-5 Win Over France

 

Paris, France - August 2 - The U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team powered their way into the top eight and a spot in the quarterfinal round with a 17-5 win over France. Maddie Musselman had a big day, delivering four goals to lead an attack that saw 10 different athletes find the cage. Ashleigh Johnson and Amanda Longan did the job in goal combining for 11 saves. Team USA completes group play at 3-1 and has a day off on August 4. They return to action in the quarterfinals on August 6 against an opponent to be determined. Information on the match including broadcast details will be shared as soon as they are available.

It was scoreless early on until Musselman broke through with her first goal at the 4:49 mark to give Team USA a 1-0 lead. Jenna Flynn converted on a penalty shot score less than two minutes later and quickly the United States had a two goal lead. France stopped the run with a score but Jovana Sekulic connected on a power play strike with less than a minute to play in the first for a 3-1 lead. Jewel Roemer opened the scoring in the second half with a power play for a 4-1 lead. France answered on the next possession to close the deficit to two at 4-2 but that would be as close as they would get in this match. Musselman came back with a goal on the power play at the 4:44 mark followed by a Tara Prentice power play score moments later for a 6-2 edge. Rachel Fattal came calling a few minutes later for a 7-2 lead and Team USA cruised into the intermission ahead 7-3.

The offense for the United States was just getting warmed up as in the third quarter they exploded for six goals. After France scored the opening goal, Team USA ripped off five straight scores to build a 12-4 edge. In the scoring spree Musselman, Fattal, Jordan Raney,  Flynn and Ryann Neushul all scored with three of the tallies on the power play and one on the penalty. France stopped the run with a goal but Neushul came right back with another for a 13-5 lead going to the fourth.

Early in the fourth Fattal got her own rebound on a missed penalty shot and drew another penalty, then Maggie Steffens stepped up for a penalty shot and scored. With 5:41 to play Musselman finished her scoring for the day with another power play to make it 15-5. With less than two minutes to play the United States tacked on two more goals as Kaleigh Gilchrist and Flynn hit to secure the 17-5 victory.

Team USA was excellent on the advantage going 9/10 while France went 1/4. Team USA also went 2/3 on penalties while France did not attempt a penalty shot.

Scoring - Stats

USA 17 (3, 4, 6, 4) M. Musselman 4, J. Flynn 3, R. Neushul 2, R. Fattal 2, T. Prentice 1, J. Raney 1, M. Steffens 1, J. Roemer 1, K. Gilchrist 1, J. Sekulic 1

FRA 5 (1, 2, 2, 0) O. Hertzka 2, T. Raspo 1, A. Daule 1

Saves - USA - A. Johnson 9, A. Longan 2 - FRA - M. Rycraw 8, P. Marineaud Peret 1

6x5 - USA - 9/10 - FRA - 1/4

Penalties - USA - 2/3 - FRA - 0/0