BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Princeton University alumna Ashleigh Johnson stopped 10-of-17 shots she faced at the Alfred Hajos National Swimming Stadium as the United States topped host Hungary, 9-7, in the the title game of the 2022/19th Annual FINA World Championships hosted in Budapest.
Johnson, who blocked away six-of-10 action shots and four-of-seven man-up chances thrown her way, added a steal, four rebounds and rifled a shot that was saved as the Americans remain the undisputed World Champion.
Team USA built a 2-1 lead by the conclusion of the first quarter and led 4-3 at halftime. In the second half, the Americans acquired some breathing room with a 3-1 scoring advantage in the third quarter prior to the Hungarians outscoring Team USA 3-2 in the final frame to close the final margin of victory down to a pair of tallies.
A 2017 Princeton graduate and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Johnson – who did not play in the Americans 14-6 semifinal defeat of Italy – previously turned aside nine-of-14 action shots, one-of-four man-up opportunities and a penalty shot as Team USA outscored Spain 3-3, 3-2, 5-3 and 2-0 over the first-to-fourth quarters, respectively, to claim a 13-8 quarterfinal win in the quarterfinals.
Earlier in the tournament, Johnson blocked away 12-of-19 shots faced as the United States overwhelmed the Netherlands, 11-7, in group play after stopping all five shots she faced during the first half in a 24-2 rout of the Republic of South Africa. Johnson did not play during the United States’ 23-3 defeat of Argentina in group competition.
In four games at the 2022 FINA World Championship, Johnson finished with 36 saves on 55 shots to anchor the United States to another championship crown.
Complete statistics of all 2022 FINA World Championship games are available by CLICKING HERE.
