Australia has lost the final of the 2014 FINA World Cup 10-6 against the USA in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.
WAIS was represented by scholarship holders Lilian Hedges, Glencora McGhie and Zoe Arancini, whilst Stingers forward Rowie Webster was named player of the tournament.
Webster managed to score 16 goals throughout the tournament as she helped the Aussies to claim another silver medal, their second consecutive runners up accolade at a World Cup following a playoff against the USA in 2010.
Despite the four goal deficit, the Aussies put on a show until the final moments, with captain Bron Knox and Glencora McGhie relentless in their attacking efforts as they attempted to bridge the gap to the USA.
The Aussies opened the scoring for the game courtesy of Knox, however the USA replied with three extra man goals to lead 3-1 at the first break.
With just 20 seconds gone in the second quarter, the USA extended their lead before Webster stepped up to score for the Stingers. The USA would score a further three, while World Championships Silver medallist Keesja Gofers added another for Australia, who 7-3 at half time.
McGhie and Webster continued to fight hard in attack, both finding the back of the cage in the third term, bringing Australia to within three goals of the USA with a little over two minutes remaining.
However the USA had other ideas, with their player Courtney Matthewson shooting a penalty goal, before Melissa Seidemann also found a way through the Aussie defence to have their side leading 10-5 at the final exchange.
It was a tough final stanza and the Aussies stepped up their offence to chase the gold medal, while also holding the USA scoreless.
Two exclusions against the USA saw McGhie come up with just one goal, the only one for the quarter as Webster, Knox and Ash Southern bombarded the US goalkeeper Samantha Hill with shooting attempts.
Aussie Stingers coach Greg McFadden said he was happy with the efforts of the team, highlighting the improvement in their game over the course of the tournament.
“It was a fantastic effort by the girls.They gave 100% and did not stop attacking right to the end of the game,” McFadden said.
“The improvement during the course of this tour has been excellent.
“We lost our exhibition game to Hungary prior to the tournament and now we have finished as silver medallists at World Cup.”
The Silver medal caps off a successful international season for the Stingers, who downed the USA to claim gold at the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup in May.
June saw the Aussies defeat China to win a bronze at the World League Super Final, the last major tournament prior to the World Cup.
-WaterPoloAus
