BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Indiana University goalie Jessica Gaudreault (Sr., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada/St. Joseph) shut down the offense, while alum Shae Fournier (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Grant Park) helped the offense as Canada downed New Zealand, 16-3, on Saturday, July 22, to earn a quarterfinal matchup against host Hungary at the 2017 FINA World Championship in Budapest. In another showdown, University of Michigan rising sophomore Maddy Steere (Pascoe Vale, Australia/St. Catherine’s School) aided Australia’s cause in a 16-2 rout of France to advance into the quarterfinals with a showdown against defending Olympic Champion the United States of America on tap.
Facing New Zealand, Gaudreault and Fournier helped Canada dominate play to outscore their foe 5-1, 4-1, 3-0 and 4-1 over the span of the game’s four quarters.
Joelle Bekhazi led the way for the Canada offense with four goals, while Emma Wright buried a trio. Monika Eggens, Kyra Christmas and Elyse Lemay-Levoie each added pairs with Axelle Crevier, Hayley McKelvey and Christine Robinson chipping in solo scores.
The victory advances Canada to a quarterfinal clash with Hungary on Monday, July 24, at 8:30 p.m. local time/2:30 p.m. Eastern.
Steere, who helped Michigan capture the 2017 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship, did not score in helping Australia flummox France, 16-2, to set-up a quarterfinal game against the United States at 4:10 p.m. local time/10:10 a.m. Eastern on Monday, July 24.
Similar to Canada’s victory over New Zealand, Australia blitzed the French in the early going by ripping off 5-0 and 4-0 scoring advantages in the first two quarters for a 9-0 lead at halftime. Leading 10-1 after three quarters of action, the Aussies outscored France 6-1 over the final quarter for the 14-goal victory.
