US Women's Nat'l Water Polo Team Loses Shootout to China

Written by City News Service

The Los Alamitos-based U.S. women's national water polo team lost to China, 16-15, in a shootout Saturday night to begin play in the FINA World League Super Finals in Beijing, after Kiley Neushul scored with nine seconds left in regulation to tie the score, 11-11.

Both teams made four of their first five shots during the shootout, forcing the shootout into sudden death. Teng Fei scored for China to begin sudden death, but Kelly Rulon had her shot blocked, giving China its first women's water polo victory over the U.S.

"It was a good game and the Chinese played with a lot of energy," U.S. coach Adam Krikorian said. "They had more energy and intensity than we did. I'm proud that we managed to battle back and force the penalty shootout. We want to get better as the tournament goes on."

The U.S. trailed 5-3 at the end of the first quarter and 7-5 at halftime. Maggie Steffens, Melissa Seidemann and Kami Craig scored to close the third quarter, tying the score, 9-9.

China regained the lead on Sun Yating's goal early in the fourth quarter, but the U.S. re-tied the score 30 seconds later on a goal by Lolo Silver (Long Beach). China took an 11-10 lead in the final minute of regulation on a goal by Ma Huahuan.

Seidemann scored three times in regulation, Annika Dries (Laguna Beach) and Steffens twice each, and Craig, Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills), Neushul and Silver once each. Neushul, Rulon, Silver and Steffens scored in the shootout.

The U.S. will face Russia Sunday to continue tournament play.