FUKUOKA, Japan — Hartwick College alumna Katie McKenty ’18 shot zero-for-one in 14:48 of competition as New Zealand fell to Italy by a 14-7 score in the Round of 16 at the 20th World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
Italy dominated the contest in the first half by outscoring New Zealand 4-1 and 6-2 in the first and second quarters, respectively, to acquire a 10-3 lead by halftime. New Zealand chipped its deficit down to 11-6 by the conclusion of the third quarter thanks to a 3-1 scoring advantage in the frame, but Italy closed out the victory and punched its ticket to the quarterfinals by tossing in a trio and permitting a solo strike in the fourth quarter.
Due to the loss, New Zealand falls into the Ninth-12th Place games as the squad will tangle with Israel at 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 23. A victory in the meeting advances New Zealand into the Ninth Place game on Tuesday, July 25, at 9:30 p.m. Eastern against the victor of a Ninth-12th Place game pitting France versus South Africa. A loss sends New Zealand into the 11th Place game at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on July 25 against the fallen from the France-South Africa clash.
