BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Maddy Steere (So., Pascoe Vale, Australia/St. Catherine’s School) of the University of Michigan scored twice as Australia dispatched Kazakhstan by a 16-4 count in Group D action, while Indiana University goalie Jessica Gaudreault (Sr., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada/St. Joseph) and alum Shae Fournier (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Grant Park) helped Canada’s cause in a 10-4 loss to Italy in Group A on the first day (Sunday, July 16) of the 2017 FINA World Championship in Budapest, Hungary.
Facing Kazakhstan in the Aussies’ tournament opener, Steere was among seven Australia players to net goals as the squad outscored their foe 4-1, 4-1, 4-2 and 4-0 over the span of the game’s four quarters to claim a convincing victory. Rowie Webster led the way for Australia with five goals, while Zoe Arancini netted a hat-trick. Steere, Keesja Gofers and Isobel Bishop each posted pairs of points, while Hannah Buckling and Amy Ridge both tacked on solo markers.
Australia will continue the tournament on Tuesday, July 18, at 5:30 p.m. local time in a clash with Russia prior to meeting Greece on Thursday, July 20, at 10:50 a.m. in the concluding game of Group D.
In Group A, Gaudreault could not keep Italy at bay as the Europeans dominated the pace of play in rallying back from a 2-1 deficit as the conclusion of the first quarter to outscore the Canadians 2-0, 3-0 and 4-2 over the remaining periods of the game.
Fournier, a 2014 graduate of Indiana, did not score in the game.
Canada will next be in action at 6:50 p.m. local time on Tuesday, July 18, against China prior to wrapping-up Group A competition at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, versus Brazil.
