BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Former Indiana University standout Shae Fournier (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Grant Park) scored twice in 19:20 for Canada, while current Hoosier Mollie Williams (So., Sutherland Shire, Australia/Meriden) netted a marker in 19:36 for Australia, as the Canadians doubled the Aussies, 16-8, in the Fifth Place game of the 29th Summer Universiade/University Games in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan).
The game featured three past/present Indiana women’s water polo players as Kelly Matthews (Sr., Roxboro, Quebec, Canada/St. Thomas) posted a steal for Canada in 14:53 of playing time.
Canada never trailed in the game as the squad built a 2-0 lead in the first quarter prior to an Australian response. Leading 5-1 after the opening frame, Canada saw its margin dwindle to 5-3 with 7:04 left in the second quarter. However, the team rallied back to push the margin to 8-3 prior to entering halftime with a commanding 9-4 advantage on the scoreboard.
The margin expanded to 12-4 with 2:01 to go in the third quarter prior to Williams putting away a shot with 54 ticks on the clock to move Australia within 12-5. However, another score by Canada with seven seconds to go in the period rebuilt the gap between the two nations to eight goals at 13-5.
Australia answered at the 6:20 mark of the fourth quarter to close within 13-6 before Fournier terminated any hopes of a comeback with back-to-back strikes within 30 seconds at 4:36 and 4:06 to ignite a 4-2 scoring surge to the final buzzer.
The game concludes the tournament for the Indiana trio as Fournier posted 18 goals, five assists, eight steals and four field blocks. Matthews notched six goals, an assist, two steals and a field block for Canada, while Williams racked up nine goals, an assist, five steals and two field blocks in support of Australia’s efforts.
