Australia Tops USA Women 10-9 In Sydney Tournament
8/9/2010 12:00:00 AM
Sydney, Australia - August 9 - After defeating Russia in the morning session by a goal the USA Women's National Team was back in the pool in the evening and involved in another one goal game, this time falling to Australia 10-9. Lolo Silver (Long Beach, CA/NYAC) led the offense with 3 goals while Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/NYAC) posted 10 saves. Team USA is back in action against China on Tuesday evening in Australia.
Recap courtesy Australianwaterpolo.com.au
Quarters: 3-1, 2-2, 2-4, 2-3
Referees: Stephane ROY (CAN), Alexi KRAPIVIN (RUS)
Extra Man: USA: 2/11. AUS: 2/10
Teams:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, Emily FEHER, Anne BELDEN (2), Kiley NEUSHUL (1), Brenda VILLA (C), Margaret STEFFENS (1), Juliet MOSS, Courtney MATHEWSON (1), Lauren SILVER (3), Elsie WINDES, Kelly RULON, Annika DRIES, Kameryn CRAIG (1), Melissa SEIDEMANN. Head Coach: Adam KRIKORIAN.
AUSTRALIA: Victoria BROWN, Gemma BEADSWORTH (1), Sophie SMITH, Alicia BRIGHTWELL, Jane MORAN, Bronwen KNOX (C, 3), Rowena WEBSTER (2), Glencora RALPH (1), Zoe ARANCINI, Jemma DESSAUVAGIE, Melissa RIPPON, Nicola ZAGAME, Ashleigh SOUTHERN (3), Kelsey WAKEFIELD. Head Coach: Greg McFADDEN
MATCH REPORT:
Alex Glumac and Jay Pandya, Infostrada Sports
Ten years after its memorable Olympic gold-medal victory against the United States, Australia has won another single-goal thriller against the USA at the Auspole-Longmont 10th Anniversary women's water polo tournament at Sydney Olympic Park.
The final score was 10-9 with Australian captain Bronwen Knox and Ashleigh Southern grabbing a hat-trick each. The Australians were unable to maintain a hold of the USA in the first quarter, despite drawing first blood in the first minute. The USA boasted more of an offensive prowess, going on to score four unanswered goals after the Aussies' opening score.
Knox admits that her side lacked a lot of intensity, causing a bit of frustration for the Green and Gold. "We had a bit of a slow start then we dropped off a little bit. We came back from about three or four goals down and we finally got on top," she said. "They're one of our biggest rivals, as we're always within a goal of each other. Being down a few goals is disheartening, because you want to put your side back on the line. We have to fight the fight."
The second quarter went well for Australia, who made the most of counter-attacking opportunities to come within two goals of the USA. The Americans scored with the last throw of the half, Lauren Silver finding the net from halfway. It was sweet revenge for Australia, who just last month lost to the USA by one goal in the FINA World League gold-medal match.
The second half of tonight's match saw Australia fight back to ensure that the hope of winning was alive and well. The Aussies were more aggressive, creating more opportunities, which resulted in disappointment for the USA side, who appeared to be more dominant. Australian head coach Greg McFadden was pleased by his side's turnaround and complimented the level of play. "It's all about the girls having confidence in themselves. We tend to get a little bit hesitant when things do not go our way early and we have to learn to keep on taking our shots. I think that ways the main catalyst in our game. As soon as we started to score, belief was restored in the side," he said.
"America is the best team in the world. We're experimenting as we're lacking a few players and it's the same case with America. We're still working on our combinations and we have a lot of depth and it was proven tonight, for example, Ashleigh Southern stood up and scored three goals and that's only her second senior international."
FLASH QUOTES:
Alicia Brightwell (AUS) — Driver
On Australia's victory against the USA:
"We just wanted to win it more. We haven't beaten the Americans in nearly six years, so we went into this match really wanting to win it and it gave us a one up over them."
On preparation for the tournament, and next week's World Cup in New Zealand:
"We were training with America before this event for a week and it really allowed us to get in their heads. It's going to help out a lot for next week."
Elizabeth ARMSTRONG (USA) — Goalkeeper
On the match against Australia:
"I think a match against Australia is always going to be a good game. You know that it's going to be four quarters of good water polo and it's going to be close. It's always a tight rivalry between us. It's good to play them before a major tournament, before heading over to New Zealand."
On losing to rival Australia:
"It's never fun to lose obviously, but we can take a lot away from it and learn from our mistakes and be better prepared for when we face them next time."
On the reasons for the loss:
"Defensively we were a little scattered. Australia always does a great job at pushing the counter-attack really well so I think playing smart offence which would then lead into good counter-attack defence and good defence."
Victoria BROWN (AUS) — Goalkeeper
On the key to the Australian comeback:
"Everyone kept calm and we started playing our own game midway through the third quarter."
On which Australian players stood out:
"Ashleigh Southern really stood out and she's only 18. The last goal from Glencora Ralph really sealed the deal."
On the rivalry with the USA:
"It's good revenge for the World League Super Final, and also for all the matches we've lost with a one-goal difference."
Women's National Team