USA Women Advance To Semi-finals Of Super Final With 8-6 Victory Over Canada
6/17/2011 12:00:00 AM
Tianjin, China - June 17 - Behind a stellar defensive effort the USA Women's National Team was able to down Canada 8-6 to advance to the semi-finals of the FINA World League Super Final. The team moves on to a likely match with Australia in the semi-finals tomorrow. In this match Kelly Rulon (San Diego, CA/UCLA/NYAC) led the offense with two goals and Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC) went the distance in net turning aside six shots. As a whole the United States defense only allowed three regular goals with three Canadian scores coming via penalty shot.
The Canadians struck first to open the match but the United States would have a fast answer rolling up three straight goals, two from Rulon and one from Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/UCLA/NYAC) to take a 3-1 lead at the quarter break. In the second period the offense kept on chugging four minutes into the period when Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford/Commerce) found the cage for a 4-1 advantage. Canada would get one back moments later only to see an answer from Team USA when Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/California/Tulatin Hills) ripped the net for the 5-2 lead at halftime.
Team USA kept their distance in the third quarter countering two Canadian goals with two of their own from Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET) and Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford/Stanford) for a 7-4 advantage headed to the fourth quarter. In the fourth the United States seemed to put this one to bed when Lolo Silver (Long Beach, CA/Stanford/NYAC) got on the board at the 3:14 mark for an 8-4 lead. Canada would tack on two straight goals to close within 8-6 and a last chance try was halted by Armstrong to preserve the lead and seal the victory at 8-6 for the Americans.
"Besides the penalties we gave up, we were excellent defensively. We are pleased to make it to the semis but realize that we have a difficult task ahead against the Australians," said Adam Krikorian, USA Women's Head Coach.
The United States went 4/9 on power plays while Canada was 1/6. That Canadians did convert all of their penalty shots going 3/3. In other matches Australia topped Greece 10-8, China outlasted Spain 13-12 in a sudden death shootout, and Italy stunned Russia in an epic 21-20 sudden death penalty shootout. It is the first win of the tourney for Italy and the match advanced through several shootout rounds after being tied at 12-12 following regulation.
Quarters: 3-1, 2-1, 2-2, 1-2
Referees: Jurgen HAUSCHE (GER), German MOLLER (ARG)
Extra Man: USA 4/9. CAN: 1/6
Pens: USA 0/0. CAN: 3/3
Teams:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, Heather PETRI, Melissa SEIDEMANN (1), Brenda VILLA (1), Lauren WENGER, Courtney MATHEWSON (1), JESSICA STEFFENS, LAUREN SILVER (1), Elsie WINDES (1), Kelly RULON (2), Annika DRIES (1), Kameryn CRAIG, Margaret STEFFENS. HEAD COACH: Adam KRIKORIAN.
CANADA: Rachel RIDDELL, Krystina ALOGBO (1), Katrina MONTON, Emily CSIKOS (2), Joelle BEKHAZI, Whitney GENOWAY, Rosanna TOMIUK, Dominique PERREAULT, Monika EGGENS, Hanna YELIZAROVA (3), Tara CAMPBELL, Marina RADU, Serena BREDIN. Head Coach: Pat OATEN.
Women's National Team