BERKELEY, Calif. — Three Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) alums/current players entered the water, but only one exited with a victory, as Princeton University goalie Ashleigh Johnson made four saves while splitting time in the cage for the United States as the Americans topped former Hartwick College star Bronwen Knox, current University of Michigan standout Maddy Steere and the Australian National Team, 9-2, on Sunday, August 19, in the first of a three game exhibition series against the Aussies.
A full replay of the match is available by CLICKING HERE. The two teams will meet again on the evening of Wednesday, August 22, at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, Calif. at 5:30 p.m. Pacific/8:30 p.m. Eastern. The match on Wednesday is free admission with doors opening at 4:45 p.m. Pacific. Seating is limited and some admission will be standing room only. The game will live stream at Facebook.com/usawp and YouTube.com/usawp with live stats offered at TheFOSH.net.
Competing in front of a sold out crowd at the Spieker Aquatics Complex on the campus of the University of California, Johnson and her Team USA squad built a 6-0 lead in the third quarter and never looked back in rolling to a victory.
Kiley Neushul and Maggie Steffens led the way for the Americans with two goals each in the victory. Johnson and Amanda Longan each notched four saves as they split time in goal.
Team USA jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first quarter via two goals from Neushul and they would add one more just before the break to take a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Team USA continued to shut down Australia during the second quarter while adding two more goals to take a 5-0 lead by halftime.
Rachel Fattal scored in the third quarter to put Team USA ahead 6-0 before Australia broke through with a score from Knox. Alys Williams got the United States back on the board with a goal late in the third to take a 7-1 lead to the fourth. Team USA tacked on two more goals in the fourth to cruise to the victory.
Team USA went two-for-five on power plays and one-for-two on penalty shots, while Australia was zero-for-five on power plays with no penalty shot attempts.
Information courtesy USA Water Polo
