The Aussie Stingers, Australia’s women’s water polo team, have used a stunning six goal third quarter to set up a courageous 14-8 victory over host nation China at the FINA World League Super Finals in Kunshan.
In a spiteful group stage encounter that saw players from both sides ejected from the game, the Australians repelled everything the Chinese threw at them for their second win in as many nights,following yesterday’s 12-5 dismantling of Brazil.
With the boisterous local crowd spurring them on, the Chinese scored the opening two goals of the match before Australia fought back with three straight goals (one to Rowie Webster and a pair to Ash Southern) only to see the hosts convert a late penalty to even things at 3-all at the first break.
Webster and captain Bronwen Knox both scored in a very physical second term for Australia to lead 5-4 at halftime before the third quarter onslaught saw goals to Webster (two), Southern, WAIS athlete Eliesha Browne, Hannah Buckling and Jayde Appel. This allowed the Stingers to open an 11-5 lead with a quarter to play.
The pace and intensity of the game took its toll in the final stanza but both sides charged on, each scoring three goals, Australia’s haul included a fifth for Webster, a second to Buckling before she was fouled out for the last three minutes and one to Keesja Gofers.
Australian head coach Greg McFadden, an Olympian as a player and coach of two Stingers Olympicbronze medal winning teams, said it was a very pleasing win for his side.
“We didn’t start too well andthe things that we talked about before the gamewe didn’t execute but then once we settled down we played some really good water polo,” McFadden said.
“It was tough water polo given that we had a lot of offences against us – the kick out count was virtually 2:1, maybe even 3:1.
“In that third quarter the girls took control of the game, slowed it down, and punished China on our counter attack. It was just great water polo and everyone contributed.”
Australian goalkeeper Kelsey Wakefield agreed with McFadden, pinpointing the impressive third quarter scoring run.
Joining Eliesha Browne in the Australian squad, were fellow WAIS scholarship holders Lilian Hedges, Glencora McGhie and Jessica Zimmerman.
The Australians play their third and final pool stage game Thursday afternoon against Italy at 3pm Perth time with the quarterfinals set down for Friday.
In other WAIS water polo news, WA athletes Tess Hoskins, Pia Rodgers and Monique Rebelo have all been selected in the final Australian youth water polo team to contest the 2014 Youth World Championships in Spain. WAIS women’s water polo program head coach Georgina Kovacs has also earned selection as a member of the coaching team.
-WaterPoloAus
