BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Italy exploited 4-1 and 4-0 scoring advantages in the second and fourth quarters, respectively, to outdistance Indiana University alumnae Jessica Gaudreault, Shae La Roche and the remainder of the Canadian National Team, 10-5, in a Fifth-Eighth Place game at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Via the victory, Italy advances to battle Hungary – which defeated Greece by a 12-9 score in the other Fifth-Eighth Place game – on Saturday, August 10, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern/5:00 a.m. Pacific for Fifth Place. Canada will take on Greece for Seventh Place at 3:00 a.m. Eastern/Midnight Pacific.
Canada – which previously faced Spain (18-8 L, August 6), the Netherlands (20-11 L, August 4), Hungary (12-7 L, July 29), the People’s Republic of China (12-7 W, July 31) and Australia (10-7 L, August 2) – could not stymie Italy in the fourth quarter as the Canadians rallied back to within 6-5 at the conclusion of the third quarter. However, the Italians four goal surge in the final eight minutes provided a cushion to top Canada.
La Roche shot zero-for-two in the game with a pair of missed man-up chances while chipping in a field block during 20:43 of playing time. Through six games at the 2024 Olympics, she is shooting three-for-17 with three field blocks, a steal and five rebounds.
In cage, Gaudreault stopped 11-of-21 shots she faced (10-of-15 action shots/one-of-four man-up/zero-of-one penalty shots/zero-of-one counter attack) in 32 minutes to take the loss. Through six 2024 Olympic games for Canada, she has 53 saves on 121 shots with five steals.
Complete results and links to live statistics for each women’s water polo game are available by CLICKING HERE.
