The Australian Stingers has suffered a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of the USA in the FINA World League Super Finals after the match ended in a 7-7 draw in San Diego, USA.
AIS-WAIS athletes Gemma Beadsworth, Glencora Ralph and Zoe Arancini all earned silver medals after the US edged a tense shoot-out 5-4 to secure a fifth title in seven years, whilst for the Stingers, their silver adds to the three bronze medals won in the same time period.
Australia also lost its group game to the USA by penalty shootout on Tuesday in a tournament where eight of the 24 matches went to penalties, so close was the eight-team competition.
In both losses the Aussie Stingers had crucial non-calls in the final minute, which heavily influenced the result.
Australia trailed 4-2 at halftime and 5-4 at the final break, drawing level at the top of the fourth and even leading 7-6 with two minutes remaining.
As on Tuesday, Australia conceded a late goal to go to extra time.
In the 10-shot shootout, which saw a tournament-high nine goals, the seventh shooter, Jemma Dessauvagie, had her shot tipped out by USA goalkeeping MVP, Betsy Armstrong.
Captain Bronwen Knox, named to the tournament team along with fellow centre forward and WAIS scholarship holder Gemma Beadsworth, scored four goals.
In the bronze-medal match, Greece headed off Russia 8-7, also in penalty shootout, after a 5-5 scoreline.
China beat Hungary 8-7 for fifth and Olympic champion Netherlands downed world No 2 Canada 8-6 for seventh.
In Greece, WAIS youngsters Cathryn Earl, Matil Connor and Eloise Pierce have been representing Australia in the Pythia Cup – a five nations tournament.
Australia shared a 10-10 result in its opening fixture against hosts Greece, before being beaten in its second match by a very strong Hungarian outfit.
Pierce played well in goals for Australia against Greece whilst Earl and Connor have goaled in both matches.
WAIS women’s water polo head coach Peter Szilagy said he was very happy to see so many WAIS athletes making such positive steps in the Australian national teams.
