A valiant effort against the USA at the FINA World Cup has seen the Aussie Stingers come up short against the USA in an 8-6 loss in their second game of the tournament in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.
The Stingers were left behind at the beginning of the game, with the USA scoring two quick goals to build a gap that would inevitably prove to be catalyst for their win.
Despite this, the Aussies fought back hard with goalkeeper Kelsey Wakefield again instrumental between the posts, while Bronte Colenso continued her good form ather first major international tournament with theStingers.
Strong work in centre forward ensured London Olympics bronze medallist Rowie Webster scored three goals, two of which hauled the Stingers back into the game in the third term.
World Championships silver medallists Jayde Appel and Keesja Gofers also scored, with Gofers goal offering Australia a chance at victory.
The game started with the USA scoring twice in the first two minutes, as Australia failed to reply, instead defending hard to ensure the gap did not grow before the first break.
Although the Stingers scored twice in the second, the USA managed to open up their lead with three goals to be leading 5-2 at half time.
A strong third stanza saw both sides score twice, before Australia led the way in the final quarter, coming up short at the final whistle courtesy of their slower start.
Stingers assistant coach Predrag Mihailovic praised the efforts of the team, lamenting that few mistakes cost the team victory.
“It was a great effort by the team, they gave 100 percent,” said Mihailovic.
“Unfortunately our execution was not as effective as we would like. There were a few mistakes and we had to play catch up all game.”
The Australian squad features three WAIS athletes, with Lilian Hedges, Glencora McGhie and Zoe Arancini all participating at the World Cup for the Stingers.
Earlier:
The Australian women’s water polo team won a gruelling opening match of the FINA World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, defeating Hungary 10-7.
In a game that was more akin to a final, the Aussies led the Hungarians for the majority of the encounter, losing the lead momentarily at the end of the third term.
Australian captain Bronwen Knox was at her finest, as was Victoria’s Rowie Webster with both players scoring three goals throughout the game.
In support of that attacking effort, Aussie goalkeeper Kelsey Wakefield put in an outstanding performance to hold out the Hungarian attack late in the game.
Australia opened the scoring within the first three minutes of the game, creating an early lead of 3-2 at the first break.
An equally close second quarter saw the Aussies maintain their one goal lead at half time, before Hungary had a strong third stanza to be ahead 7-6 at the final exchange.
The fourth term was the game breaker for Australia as they scored four unanswered goals to secure the victory.
Stingers coach Greg McFadden said the team had worked hard to pinpoint Hungary’s weaknesses.
“The girls did really well, we had previously had an unofficial game against Hungary where the team struggled, we had a few players battle injury and sickness as well” McFadden said.
“For today we had talked about where Hungary’s strengths were and we worked on the areas that they had previously been outplaying us.
“It was a great win where everyone contributed, and Kelsey was fantastic in goals.”
-WaterPoloAus
