USA Water Polo Women's National Team Upcoming Games & News

Back (L-R) Betsey Armstrong, Kami Craig, Annika Dries, Heather Petri, Kelly Rulon, Melissa Seidemann, Jessica Steffens, and Lauren Wenger. Front (L-R) Tumua Anae, Brenda Villa, Courtney Mathewson, Maggie Steffens, and Elsie Windes.

2012 U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team (Hometown/College/Club)

1. Betsey Armstrong - Goalkeeper (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC)*   2. Heather Petri - Attacker (Orinda, CA/California/NYAC)#%*   3. Melissa Seidemann - Defender (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford/Stanford)   4. Brenda Villa - Attacker (Commerce, CA/Stanford/Olympic Club)#%*   5. Lauren Wenger - All-Around (Long Beach, CA/USC/NYAC)*   6. Maggie Steffens - Defender (Danville, CA/Stanford/Diablo)   7. Courtney Mathewson - Attacker (Anaheim Hills, CA/UCLA/NYAC)   8. Jessica Steffens - Defender (Danville, CA/Stanford/NYAC)*   9. Elsie Windes - Defender (Portland, OR/California/Tualatin Hills WP)* 10. Kelly Rulon - Attacker (San Diego, CA/UCLA/NYAC)% 11. Annika Dries - Center (Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET) 12. Kami Craig - Center (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/Santa Barbara WPF)* 13. Tumua Anae - Goalkeeper (Newport Beach, CA/USC/SOCAL)

#2000 Olympian %2004 Olympian *2008 Olympian

 

U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team vs. Hungary (all times PST)

July 8, 2012

Game #4 HUN 4 vs. USA 9

Newport Beach, CA - July 8 - In front of over 1,000 fans at Corona del Mar High School the U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team topped Hungary 9-4, in a match nationally televised on the NBC Sports Network. The game capped a four game sweep by Team USA of the Hungarians in the final tune-up prior to the 2012 Olympic Games. Kelly Rulon (San Diego, CA/UCLA/NYAC) scored three goals in the win while Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC) and CdM alum Tumua Anae (Newport Beach, CA/USC/SOCAL) combined for eight saves in net.

It was Hungary that started the game off strongly, scoring the first goal of the match less than a minute in for a 1-0 lead. Team USA answered with a Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford/Olympic Club) lob shot score, on a power play with 5:41 left, evening the match at 1-1. Hungary responded with a power play three minutes later to go back in front 2-1, and that would be the score at the end of the period.

In the second Villa came calling again with her second goal to again tie the match, this time at 2-2, with 5:28 left in the period. A little over four minutes later Rulon scored on a power play and Team USA took their first lead with :50 left. Hungary scored on a lob on their next possession to knot the game at 3-3. With just :22 left in the half, Team USA surged back ahead with a score from Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/USC/NYAC) for a 4-3 advantage. Physical play, a trademark of the four game series, bubbled over moments later when Team USA's Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford/Stanford) and Hungary's Barbara Bujka were excluded for the game after getting tangled up in transition. Team USA would hold a 4-3 lead at halftime.

The third quarter saw the United States blow the match open. Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/Diablo) opened the period with a power play goal and a 5-3 lead for Team USA. Moments later Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/Santa Barbara WPF) scored inside for a 6-3 lead. Not long after it was Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/California/Tualatin Hills WP) ripping the net for a 7-3 advantage. Team USA kept on cruising as Rulon got her second goal of the day, and with 4:15 left in the match, the United States was in control, leading 8-3. Rulon wasn't finished as she capped her scoring day with a lob from well beyond seven meters for a 9-3 lead. Hungary added a late goal in the period but the damage had been done and Team USA finished the period up 9-4.

In the fourth Team USA put the game away on defense. Holding a 9-4 lead, the United States did not allow a single goal by the Hungarians. While Team USA did not score either in the fourth period, it wasn't needed as they came away winners by five, 9-4. Team USA went 5/10 on power plays while Hungary was 1/5. Neither team attempted a penalty shot.

Next up for Team USA is a match with Hungary to open the 2012 Olympic Games on July 30.

Scoring
USA 9 (1, 3, 5, 0) K. Rulon 3, B. Villa 2, L. Wenger 1, K. Craig 1, E. Windes 1, M. Steffens 1
HUN 4 (2, 1, 1, 0)
Saves - USA - B. Armstrong - 7 - T. Anae 1
6x5 - USA - 5/10 - HUN - 1/5
Penalties - USA - 0/0 - HUN 0/0

Greg Mescall
Associate Director of Communications
USA Water Polo

July 6, 2012

Game #3 HUN 6 vs. USA 7

San Diego, CA - Over 1,000 fans piled in to the Canyonview Aquatics Center at UC-San Diego to witness the U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team top Hungary 7-6. Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/UCLA/NYAC) scored two goals in the win while Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC) and Tumua Anae (Newport Beach, CA/USC/SOCAL) combined in net for seven saves. Team USA rallied from first and third quarter deficits to come back and defeat the Hungarians for their third straight win in the four game series. The competition wraps on Sunday when the two will meet at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, CA at 3pm pst. The match will be televised live on the NBC Sports Network.

As for this match, Team USA started off on the right foot with a score from Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford/Olympic Club) for 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the match. Hungary took over from there scoring three straight to close out the first period leading 3-1. In the second, Team USA started to battle back. After a scoreless first six minutes of the period, Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/USC/NYAC) delivered a skip shot goal to make it 3-2. That was followed by Mathewson's first tally of the night, to even the game at 3-3 headed to halftime.

Hungary surged ahead again in the third, scoring the first two of the period to go ahead 5-3 with 4:16 left. Team USA would again begin to chip away. Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET) drew a penalty, which Mathewson converted and it was 5-4 in favor of Hungary. Then with just six seconds left in the period, Team USA drew an exclusion and found an unguarded Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/Santa Barbara WPF) for the score and a tie game at 5-5.

Team USA took their first lead since the first quarter when Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford) scored from inside for a 6-5 advantage with 4:56 left in the game. Hungary scored on the very next possession and the match was once again even, this time at 6-6. The United States would have the last word when they drew a power play with 2:06 left. Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/Diablo) converted the player advantage score and Team USA went back in front 7-6.

Defense proved key the rest of the way. Anae had a block down the stretch coupled with a late field block and the United State came away winners at 7-6. Team USA went 4/10 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties while Hungary was 2/5 on power plays and did not attempt a penalty shot.

Scoring
USA 7 (1, 2, 2, 2) C. Mathewson 2, B. Villa 1, L. Wenger 1, M. Steffens 1, K. Craig 1, M. Seidemann 1
HUN 6 (3, 0, 2, 1)

Saves - USA - B. Armstrong 4, T. Anae 3
6x5 - USA - 4/10 - HUN 2/5
Penalties - USA 1/1 - HUN 0/0

Greg Mescall
Associate Director of Communications
USA Water Polo

July 4, 2012

Game #2 HUN 8 vs. USA 14

Los Alamitos, CA - July 4 - With a 4th of July celebration looming, the U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team did not disappoint the home crowd, topping Hungary 14-8. Fireworks after the game were prefaced by offensive fireworks in the pool as for the second straight game, Team USA scored in double figures. Heather Petri (Orinda, CA/California/NYAC) scored three goals while Tumua Anae (Newport Beach, CA/USC/SOCAL) went all four periods in the cage, stopping 13 shots.

Team USA got off to a quick start with Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/USC/NYAC) scoring in the first thirty seconds on a lob shot for a 1-0 lead. Hungary answered on their next possession to even the match at 1-1. Some three minutes later Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford/Olympic Club) lobbed in a power play try for a 2-1 lead. Then Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET) closed the period with a power play score for a 3-1 lead after one.

Hungary battled back in the second period, scoring the first goal with 5:57 left to draw within 3-2. They followed by blocking a Team USA penalty shot to keep things close. Physical play would dominate on both ends for the next five minutes as neither side scored a goal. Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/Diablo) broke through with :54 left in the period on a power play score for a 4-2 lead. Petri closed the first half with a bang, scoring a power play goal on a deflected shot for a 5-2 lead at the break.

In the third the Hungarians again rallied as they scored two straight power play goals to close within 5-4 with 5:42 left. That only seemed to ignite the USA offense as they then went on a scoring barrage. Five straight goals from the Americans followed including Petri, Kelly Rulon (San Diego, CA/UCLA/NYAC), Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/UCLA/NYAC), Wenger, and Maggie Steffens. With 2:42 left in the period, Team USA built a 10-4 advantage. Hungary tacked on a late goal with :11 left in the period, making the score 10-5 headed to the fourth.

The United States put the match away in the fourth opening the period with three straight scores to take a 13-5 lead. Petri hit on a power play, Rulon connected on a penalty shot, and Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/California/Tualatin Hills WP) found the cage in the three goal run. Hungary scored two straight to make it 13-7 in favor of Team USA with 3:03 left. Mathewson scored the last goal for the home team with 2:25 left to go up 14-7. Hungary would score one final goal but it did not factor in the decision and the United States went on for the win, 14-8.

Team USA went 6/12 on power plays and 1/2 on penalty shots while Hungary was 5/10 on power plays and did not attempt a penalty. Team USA and Hungary will meet again on Friday evening at UC-San Diego at 6pm pst. Tickets will be available at the door. They close the series on Sunday, July 8 at Corona del Mar HS in Newport Beach, CA. That match is scheduled to begin at 3pm.

Scoring
USA 14 (3, 2, 5, 4) H. Petri 3, C. Mathewson 2, K. Rulon 2, M. Steffens 2, L. Wenger 2, E. Windes 1, A. Dries 1, B. Villa
HUN 8 (1, 1, 3, 3)
Saves - USA - T. Anae 13
6x5 - USA - 6/12 - HUN - 5/10
Penalties - USA 1/2 - HUN 0/0

Greg Mescall
Associate Director of Communications
USA Water Polo

July 2, 2012

Game #1 HUN 8 vs. USA 17

Palo Alto, CA - July 2 - An overflow crowd at Stanford University's Avery Aquatics Center saw the U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team top Hungary 17-8. Four different players registered three goals each including Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford/Stanford), Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/USC/NYAC), Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/Diablo), and Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/UCLA/NYAC). Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC) did the job in net turning aside six shots in the win. Team USA meets Hungary next on July 4 in Los Alamitos, CA at 7pm.

The match was high scoring from the beginning as Wenger got things started early with a goal about two minutes in for a 1-0 lead. Hungary answered to tie the game, but the United States countered with three straight goals, one from Steffens and two from Mathewson. Hungary had a reply of their own with back to back goals to draw within 4-3, with 1:13 left in the period. Seidemann hit from deep for the next USA goal, and then Hungary scored to close out the period and it was a 5-4 lead for Team USA after one.

Team USA came out firing in the second hitting on two straight goals for a 7-4 lead with 6:01 left in the half. Hungary scored next to make it 7-5 but the United States responded with goals from Mathewson and Seidemann for a 9-5 lead with 2:16 left in the period. Hungary tacked on a late score in the period and it was 9-6 at halftime.

In the second half the United States offense continued to produce while their defense began to lock down the Hungarians. The third period saw Team USA keep the Hungarians from scoring while adding four goals. Maggie Steffens scored the first two of the period, followed by a redirect from Wenger, and then an outside shot from Seidemann. That put the United States up 13-6 at the end of the third quarter.

Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/California/Tualatin Hills WP) opened the scoring in the fourth with a shot from in close for a 14-6 lead. Hungary tried to rally with another goal closing to within 14-7, but it was too little, too late. Heather Petri (Orinda, CA/California/NYAC) hit a lob from outside, Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/Santa Barbara WPF) fired in a backhand, and Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET) buried one from the weakside for a 17-7 lead with 2:30 left. Hungary would score a late goal that did not factor in the decision.

Notes: Team USA went 4/6 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties while Hungary was 3/11 on power plays and 0/1 on penalties. Team USA and Hungary meet three more times. July 4 in Los Alamitos, CA at the USA Water Polo National Training Center at 7pm, July 6 in San Diego, CA at UC-San Diego at 6pm and July 8 in Newport Beach, CA at Corona del Mar HS at 3pm. The final match will be televised live on NBC Sports Network.

Scoring
USA 17 (5, 4, 4, 4) M. Seidemann 3, M. Steffens 3, C. Mathewson 3, L. Wenger 3, K. Craig 2, A. Dries 1, H. Petri 1, E. Windes 1
HUN 8 (4, 2, 0, 2)

Saves - USA - B. Armstrong 6
6x5 - USA - 4/6 - HUN - 3/11
Penalties - USA - 1/1 - HUN 0/1

Greg Mescall
Associate Director of Communications
USA Water Polo

July 8 - Corona del Mar HS - Newport Beach, CA - 3pm* - Tickets
* LIVE on NBC Sports Network

VISA Water Polo International (Test Event)
May 3-6, 2012 - London, England

All matches played at 2012 Olympic Games Water Polo Arena Official Website

Competition Schedule (All times BST - local London time 8 hours ahead of PST)

May 3, 2012

Game #1 6:30pm HUN 6 v USA 11

London, England - May 3 - The USA Women's National Team opened play at the FINA VISA Water Polo International with an 11-6 win over Hungary. Behind four goals from Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/Diablo) and five saves from Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC) Team USA picked up the victory in the first match played at the 2012 Olympic Water Polo Arena.

The United States offense got started immediately, less than a minute into the period with a power play goal from Steffens for a 1-0 lead. Hungary answered on their next possession to even the match at 1-1. Team USA had a response with three straight scores from Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/USC/NYAC), Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET), and Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford/Stanford) to go up 4-1 with 4:35 left. Hungary punched in a score late in the period to leave the United States leading by two, 4-2 headed to the second period.

In the second, action started identical to the first with Maggie Steffens hitting on a power play, this time some thirty seconds into the session, for a 5-2 lead. Hungary battled back with two straight scores to make it 5-4 with 5:05 play. That was the tally until 2:29 left in the period when Dries delivered a nifty backhand score from two meters for a 6-4 advantage. A minute later Hungary found the net to close within one. Team USA countered with back to back scores, Rulon hit for a lob and Steffens hit another power play score for a 8-5 lead at intermission.

Hungary struck first to open the third period, closing to within 8-6 just ninety seconds in, but that would be as close as they would get. A close goal was disallowed moments later and that would be the last of the Hungarian offense. Steffens scored her final tally of the evening, with a score right as sides came even following an exclusion. Then with the just 14 seconds left in the period and the shot clock set to expire, Seidemann was able to beat the keeper for a 10-6 USA lead going to the fourth.

The United States defense locked down Hungary in the fourth, not allowing a single ball into the cage. Rulon would score the period's lone goal on a power play with 3:46 left and Team USA went up 11-6. They never looked back cruising to a five goal victory. The United States went 6/9 on power plays while Hungary struggled going 1/4, neither team attempted a penalty shot.

Team USA is back in action tomorrow when they take on Australia at 6:30pm local time/10:30am pst.

Scoring
USA 11 (4, 4, 2, 1) M. Steffens 4, A. Dries 2, K. Rulon 2, M. Seidemann 2, L. Wenger 1
HUN 6 (2, 3, 1, 0)

Saves - USA - B. Armstrong 5
6x5 - USA - 6/9 - HUN 1/4
Penalties - USA - 0/0 - HUN 0/0

Greg Mescall
Associate Director of Communications
USA Water Polo

Game #2 7:50pm AUS 10 v GBR 4

AUSTRALIA'S women's water polo team smashed Britain 10-4 in their opening match of London Olympic test event.

Rowena Webster led the way with four goals and captain Kate Gynther scored a hat-trick in the one-sided match at the inflated temporary venue.

Australia had been expected to account for the home team after delivering a 5-0 series whitewash in Canberra earlier this year.

But they made a sluggish start with the Brits grabbing the opening goal to lift the mood of home fans.

The visitors steadily gained control of the contest despite being on the wrong side of the officials.

Veteran Melissa Rippon said the Australians had enjoyed the opportunity to experience the Olympic venue before the Games start on July 27.

She expected the Beijing bronze medallists to lift for Friday night's clash against the USA and that Webster would come in for extra attention from the Americans.

``She is known as a goalscorer and that was great for her and she definitely put her name up in lights,'' Rippon said.

May 4, 2012

Game #3 6:30pm AUS 9 v USA 10

London, England - May 4 - The USA Women's National Team made it two straight wins to open the VISA Water Polo International, defeating Australia 10-9, in a come-from-behind effort. After taking the lead for a final time with less than two minutes to play, Team USA survived a final flurry from Australia. Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC) made a crucial block with two seconds to play to preserve the victory. Armstrong's 11 saves anchored the defense while three different players added two goals on offense.

Australia got on the board early grabbing a 1-0 lead on a penalty shot just ninety seconds into the match. Team USA answered with consecutive goals from Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford/Olympic Club) and Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford/Stanford), both on power plays, to take a 2-1 lead with 2:41 left in the period. Australia answered with a power play goal of their own moments later, and the match was even at 2-2 after the first.

Scoring picked up in the second period with Australia grabbing the lead just 23 seconds into the session for a 3-2 game. Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/Santa Barbara WPF) drew a penalty two minutes later and Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/Diablo) converted to tie the game at 3-3. The Aussies put together two straight goals to re-take the lead at 5-3 with 2:27 left in the half. Undaunted, the United States battled back, first an Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET) score in front brought the USA to within in a score at 5-4. Then, with just four seconds left in the period, it was Jessica Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/NYAC) using a low skip shot to beat the keeper for a 5-5 game at intermission.

The see-saw battle continued in the third with the teams exchanging goals throughout the period. Australia went up 6-5 early, only to see Craig score a natural goal moments later to even the tally at 6-6. Then three minutes later Australia retook the lead at 7-6, but that was short-lived when Dries hit for a power play goal on a dish from Heather Petri (Orinda, CA/California/NYAC) for a 7-7 game going to the fourth.

In the fourth the teams stayed close with Australia opening the scoring with a goal from Ashleigh Southern her fourth of the night. Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/USC/NYAC) countered for Team USA on the power play for an 8-8 match. The United States finally got back in the lead when Seidemann delivered on the counter attack for a 9-8 lead, their first lead since the first period. Southern deposited her fifth goal into the cage a little over a minute later to tie the game at 9-9. The difference maker followed when on the next possession the United States drew a power play and Craig was able to hit on the quick for a 10-9 lead. The United States killed off an Australian power play with less than a minute remaining and seemed to be in position to salt the clock away. Controlling the ball with under 40 seconds remaining the United States turned it over giving Australia a final chance on goal. The last chance attempt by the Aussies was halted by Armstrong and Team USA came away victorious.

The United States went 5/8 on power plays while Australia was 2/5. Each team was 1/1 on penalty shot attempts. The United States closes out preliminary play tomorrow with a match against host Great Britain at 3:20pm local time/7:20am pst.

Scoring
USA 10 (2, 3, 2, 3) M. Seidemann 2, K. Craig 2, A. Dries 2, M. Steffens 1, J. Steffens 1, L. Wenger 1, B. Villa 1
AUS 9 (2, 3, 2, 2)

Saves - USA - B. Armstrong 11
6x5 - USA 5/8 - AUS 2/5
Penalties - USA - 1/1 - AUS 1/1

Greg Mescall
Associate Director of Communications
USA Water Polo

Game#4 7:50pm GBR 10 v HUN 17

May 5, 2012

Game #5 2:00pm AUS 17 v HUN 12

The Australian Stingers started their final preliminary match against Hungary today as if a place in the Olympic gold medal match was on the line.

In the first minute, they scored two goals (to captain Kate Gynther and Sophie Smith) to set the tone for the match.

By quarter-time they led 5-1 and were in command. The Hungarians were never closer than two goals behind, despite making a second quarter rally.

The second half was closely fought but the Australians maintained an edge throughout the high-scoring match, winning 17-12.

For the second consecutive match, 19-year-old Ashley Southern was at the top of the score sheet, with four goals, equal with Gynther. For Hungary, Rita Keszthelyi was the strike weapon, scoring five goals.

The Australian Stingers started their final preliminary match against Hungary today as if a place in the Olympic gold medal match was on the line.

In the first minute, they scored two goals (to captain Kate Gynther and Sophie Smith) to set the tone for the match.

By quarter-time they led 5-1 and were in command. The Hungarians were never closer than two goals behind, despite making a second quarter rally.

The second half was closely fought but the Australians maintained an edge throughout the high-scoring match, winning 17-12.

For the second consecutive match, 19-year-old Ashley Southern was at the top of the score sheet, with four goals, equal with Gynther. For Hungary, Rita Keszthelyi was the strike weapon, scoring five goals.

Game #6 3:20pm GBR 6 v USA 7

London, England - May 5 - The USA Women's National Team advanced to the championship of the VISA Water Polo International with a 7-6 win over Great Britain. In front of a near capacity crowd at the Olympic Water Polo Arena, Team USA held off an upstart Great Britain team to take the one goal victory. Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/Diablo) and Jessica Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/NYAC) each scored twice and Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC) posted 10 saves in the win. The squad now advances to take on Australia for the championship on Sunday at 11:20am local time.

The United States got off to a stellar start jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Two straight power play goals from Maggie Steffens opened up a 2-0 lead with 5:45 to go. Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/USC/NYAC) followed with a cross cage lob for a 3-0 lead, then Jessica Steffens added a power play score from in close for a 4-0 lead. Team USA missed a chance for a five goal lead on a failed penalty shot conversion. With just 29 seconds left in the period Great Britain got their first goal of the day to close out the first period trailing 4-1.

The momentum carried into the second period for Great Britain as they scored back to back power play goals to close within 4-3 with 4:19 left. Three minutes later Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, CA/Stanford/SET) got one back on an inside score to go up 5-3 with just :55 left. Great Britain had an answer on their next possession with a lob shot score to draw within 5-4 going into halftime.

In the third, goals came at a premium, with only Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford/Olympic Club) scoring for the United States to take a 6-4 lead going to the fourth. Four minutes into the final period Great Britain again got to within a goal at 6-5. Just 90 seconds later Jessica Steffens added her second goal on a lob shot to build the lead back to two. The USA defense did the job from there keeping Great Britain at bay. A final goal from the home team with just five seconds left did not factor in the decision and the United States took the game 7-6.

Team USA went 3/6 on power plays while Great Britain was 3/10. The United States was 0/1 on penalty shots and Great Britain did not attempt a penalty shot.

Scoring
USA 7 (4, 1, 1, 1) M. Steffens 2, J. Steffens 2, B. Villa 1, L. Wenger 1, A. Dries 1
GBR 6 (1, 3, 0, 2)
Saves - USA - B. Armstrong 10
6x5 - USA - 3/6 - GBR - 3/10
Penalties - USA - 0/1 - GBR - 0/0

Greg Mescall
Associate Director of Communications
USA Water Polo

May 6, 2012

Game #7 10:00am Bronze Medal Match HUN 11 v GBR 4

Great Britain's women completed their programme at the Olympic test event with an 11-4 defeat by Hungary to finish last in the four-team competition.

The squad were not able to recreate the intensity they displayed during their creditable 7-6 defeat by one of the Olympic favourites United States on Saturday and after conceding a couple of early goals were never able to close the gap on a Hungarian side who recorded their second victory over the host nation in three days.

Ciara Gibson-Byrne (2) and Lisa Gibson both continued their fine individual form during the event, with Fiona McCann also making the scoresheet.

Coach Szilveszter Fekete admitted his side were tired after playing four matches against top-quality opposition in as many days.

"Yesterday we had a good game but we finished at nine and were having breakfast for this game at seven this morning so I think we were tired physically and mentally," said the Hungarian-born coach.

"Over the tournament this has been a good week for us though. This is the top level so it's been a good beginning to our last phase of preparation through to the Olympics."

Game #8 11:20am Gold Medal Match AUS 6 v USA 5

London, England - May 6 - The USA Women's National Team took second at the VISA Water Polo International after falling to Australia 6-5 in the championship match. A turnover in the final seconds halted a furious final seconds as the United States tried to find the equalizer after falling behind in the second quarter. Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/USC/NYAC) scored two goals and Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan/NYAC) posted 14 saves in the loss.

Team USA got off to quick start with a Wenger goal from outside less than a minute into the period for a 1-0 lead. A few minutes later, Team USA went up 2-0 when Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford/Olympic Club) tossed in a lob from six meters. Australia answered on the next possession when they converted a penalty foul to draw within 2-1. That was the score as played moved to the second period.

The second quarter belonged almost entirely to the Aussies. As Team USA struggled to convert power plays, Australia took advantage running off three straight goals to grab a 4-2 lead with 3:56 left in the period. The United States broke through with just :33 left as Wenger scored her second of the game, and the first power play goal for Team USA, to draw within 4-3 at intermission.

In the third Australia again started off quickly with a goal on a counter attack just two minutes into the session to take a 5-3 lead. Team USA responded with Kelly Rulon (San Diego, CA/UCLA/NYAC) hitting on a lob shot for a 5-4 game. The scoring went back and forth with Australia up next delivering on an inside score for a 6-4 lead with 2:36 left. The United States had a shot to get within a goal when Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/UCLA/NYAC) drew a penalty, but the conversion was failed. Redemption was had moments later when Mathewson found the cage on a power play with just ten seconds left in the period. That brought the United States to within one at 6-5, and that would be the score going to the final period.

The fourth quarter proved to be all defense as each team held the other scoreless. In the closing moments the United States failed the convert a power play with 1:18 remaining, they went 2/9 on the day. A final shot from Wenger with :19 left was saved out of bounds giving the United States one more shot. However, they subsequently turned the ball over allowing Australia to run the clock out. The Aussies went 1/4 on power play attempts. Team USA went 0/1 on penalty shots while Australia did not attempt a penalty shot.

Hungary took third place with Great Britain coming in fourth place. Next up for Team USA will be the FINA World League Super Final in Changshu, China starting on May 29.

Scoring
USA 5 (2, 1, 2, 0) L. Wenger 2, C. Mathewson 1, B. Villa 1, K. Rulon 1
AUS 6 (1, 3, 2, 0)

Saves - USA - B. Armstrong 14
6x5 - USA 2/9 - AUS 1/4
Penalties - USA 0/1 - AUS 0/0

Greg Mescall
Associate Director of Communications
USA Water Polo

FINA Women's World League Super Final (May 29-June 4, 2012)

2012 Summer Olympic Women's Teams – London (July 27–August 12, 2012)