It was a classic Australia versus New Zealand affair on day three of the FINA World Women’s Youth Water Polo Championships in Madrid, with the Australian Born ’96 Youth women’s team claiming a 15-8 win, their first for the tournament.
Although it was a convincing win in the end, the Aussies momentum fluctuated throughout the contest as strong first and third quarters were mixed with tight second and fourth periods.
Lena Mihailovic was again on song for Australia en route to three goals, with Chelsea Allen and Georgia McConville also notching up three goals against their name on the scorecard.
Australia opened the game in fine form to be leading 3-0 early on thanks to Allen, Mihailovic and Amy Ridge, before New Zealand pegged one goal back. However the Aussies had other ideas as a further two goals saw them at a 5-1 advantage at the first break.
The second stanza was where New Zealand fought back, outscoring Australia 4-3 for the quarter reducing their deficit to just three goals. Ridge and McConville (2) scored for Australia, with the score 8-5 at half time.
Despite the resurgence of New Zealand, Australia kicked up a gear in the third term as Allen, Georgia Hole and Ellodie Ruffin all scored, while captain Maddy Steere netted two goals to give the Aussies a dominant 13-7 lead a the final exchange.
It was again a close affair in the fourth term with New Zealand managing to hold Australia to just two goals, while scoring one of their own. McConville and Mihailovic both scored their third for the encounter, putting the win beyond doubt for the Aussies.
Coach Jack Lusic said the team played well and deserved the win.
“The girls had a great start to be leading 7-1, before lapsing in the last five minutes of the second quarter,” Lusic said.
“We combined well in the second half to finish the game strongly. It was nice for the girls to enjoy a good win.”
WAIS had three representatives in action, with Tess Hosking, Monique Robelo and Pia Rodgers all involved in the match.
The Australian team earlier was on the wrong side of 9-8 and 7-6 losses to Russia and Canada respectively.
Australia’s next game will be against the Netherlands at 12am AEST on Friday August 29.
-Water Polo Aus
