Silver's Game Winner Leads USA Women Over Canada 10-9 To Open Sydney Tournament
8/8/2010 12:00:00 AM
Sydney, Australia - August 8 - The USA Women's Senior National Team got off to a good start down under as Lolo Silver (Long Beach, CA/NYAC) delivered the game winner with less than 10 seconds to play to secure a 10-9 win over Canada. The victory opened up a friendly tournament in Australia prior to the start of the World Cup next week. Silver and Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Commerce) each scored three times to lead the Americans to the win.
Canada was in command in the first period leading 3-2 after eight minutes but the United States kept pace in the second quarter matching three Canadian goals for a 6-5 deficit at halftime. The third quarter belonged to Team USA as they held Canada to just one goal and surged ahead 8-7 with playing moving to the fourth. In the final period each team scored twice and Team USA was able to get the proverbial golden goal from Silver.
The United States went 7/11 on power plays while Canada was 2/6. Along with Silver and Villa, Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/NYAC) added two goals while Anne Belden (Newport Beach, CA/Bruin) and Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Diablo) scored once. The USA is back in action on Monday with two matches against Russia and Australia.
China will miss the first half of the tourney due to a delay in travel documents. The New South Wales Institute of Sport replaces them on the schedule until their arrival. The United States is scheduled to meet China on Tuesday.
Recap info courtesy of Australianwaterpolo.com.au
Quarters: 2-3, 3-3, 3-1, 2-2
Referees: Andrew CARNEY (AUS), Nikolaos
VASILEIOU (GRE).
Teams:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, Emily FEHER, Anne
BELDEN (1), Kiley NEUSHUL, Brenda VILLA (C, 3), Margaret STEFFENS (1), Juliet
MOSS, Courtney MATHEWSON (3), Lauren SILVER (2), Elsie WINDES, Kelly RULON, Annika
DRIES, Kameryn CRAIG, Melissa SEIDEMANN. Head Coach: Adam KRIKORIAN.
CANADA: Rachel RIDDELL, Krystina ALOGBO (C), Katrina MONTON
(1), Emily CSIKOS (3), Sophie BARON-LASALLE (1), Whitney GENOWAY, Rosanna
TOMIUK, Dominique PERRAULT (1), Monika EGGENS, Christine ROBINSON (2), Tara
CAMPBELL, Marina RADU (1), Marissa JANSSENS,. Head Coach: Pat OATEN.
Extra Man: USA: CAN:
Drummoyne Devil Lauren Silver shot what
must have been a golden goal when she gave the USA a 10-9 victory with just
seven seconds remaining. Silver was the standout shooter of Australia's premier
competition, playing for Drummoyne earlier this year and her two goals were
important but not as much as the final shot from deep right when needed most.
The shot was deflected into goal by the defence, dribbling to the far side and
just crossing the line. It was enough in a game where both teams played
top-class water polo. Brenda Villa, who played at this complex in the 2000
Olympic Games, scored three goals in the third period as the USA went from one
goal behind to one ahead. Twice Canada levelled in the last but it was Silver
who had the final say.
FLASH QUOTES:
Adam KRIKORIAN (USA) - Head Coach
On the closeness of the match:
"It's typical of matches between us. I
thought we were a bit sloppy and didn't shoot very well. However, offence was
not too much of a problem, especially when Canada runs a zone, which means you
are going to miss a lot. Our five-man defense was not good in the first half as
they shot 5/6 by halftime. We were better in the second - it was the difference
of the halves."
Pat OATEN (CAN) - Head Coach
On the quality of the game:
"Our goal was to keep everyone to under
18 minutes a game and the goalies split the halves. I was happy with the game
but there were some mistakes that cost us goals on offense. It was a good first
game."
Katrina MONTON (CAN) - Player
On how Canada played:
"We were disciplined and stuck to the
game plan, We stayed calm and played our game. We need to work on some things
for the rest of the tournament but it was great for our first game. I hope we
improve with every game."
Women's National Team