USA Women Top Australia 13-12 In Exhibition Match
1/17/2012 12:00:00 AM
Sydney, Australia - January 17 - Playing at the Sydney Olympic Park, site of the 2000 Olympic Games, the USA Women's National Team topped Australia 13-12 in an exhibition match earlier today. Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford/Olympic Club) scored three goals in the high scoring affair. The two teams will play two more exhibition matches before the United States returns home.
It was an even first half with the match tied 3-3 after the first period and 5-5 at halftime. In the third quarter the United States offense exploded scoring six goals to take an 11-8 lead after three. The Aussies rallied back in the fourth posting four goals of their own but Team USA had an answer adding two more scores to come away winners at 13-12.
Team USA went 3/9 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties while Australia was 6/12 on power plays and and 2/3 on penalties. Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/Diablo) and Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/Santa Barbara) added two goals apiece in the victory. "We struggled again on our special teams but unlike the last game we played, the 3rd quarter was the difference for us," said USA Head Coach Adam Krikorian.
Scoring
USA 13 (3 2 6 2)
AUS 12 (3 2 3 4)
B. Villa 3, K. Craig 2, M. Steffens 2, E. Windes 1, L. Wenger 1, J. Steffens 1, T. Gandy 1, J. Moss 1, M. Seidemann 1
6 on 5: USA - 3/9 - AUS 6/12
USA Penalty: 1/1
AUS Penalty: 2/3
Women's National Team