USA Hammers Russia 12-7 to Advance to Olympic Semifinals

Betsey Armstrong

BEIJING, China -- It was over early at the Ying Tung Natatorium as the U.S. Olympic Team for Women's Water Polo hammered Russia 12-7 in a score that was not indicative of an overly lopsided game. Russia whose fate was sealed to play for seventh place after falling to China in their last match started a younger group in this match while the experienced USA squad made short work building a big lead early and never looking back. The United States wins their Group A as a result of Italy's 10-9 victory over China. Italy and USA ended in a tie but with USA scoring more goals against China then Italy did they take the group. They will meet the winner of China/Australia on August 19. Hungary won Group B and will meet the winner of Netherlands/Italy. Winning the group also assures USA keeps running it's streak of reaching the medal round of every major tournament since the 2000 Olympics.

As for this match the offense was clicking early and often for Team USA as they burst out of the gates with a 5-0 first quarter lead. Team captain Brenda Villa got the scoring started first with a goal following a Russia exclusion to go up 1-0. Moriah van Norman then drew a five meter penalty about three minutes later and Natalie Golda converted the shot for a 2-0 lead. Another Russia exclusion led to Brittany Hayes taking a feed from Jessica Steffens for a goal and it was 3-0. Steffens then got in on the act lobbing home a shot for a 4-0 lead at the 1:31 mark. Then with just five seconds left in the period Alison Gregorka capped the scoring with skip shot that bounced in for a 5-0 lead.

A shell shocked Russian team emerged to start the second quarter only to see the USA keep up the offense as van Norman worked inside taking a pass from Heather Petri and beating the goal keeper. A minute later Russia would get on the board as Olga Turova scored one of her two goals on the day to break up the shutout. The USA answered right back as following an exclusion they put on a passing clinic resulting with Golda ripping the net for a 7-1 advantage. Russia started a mini-rally with two straight goals from former USC standout Sofya Konukh to close within 7-3 at halftime.

Team USA opened the third quarter much the same way they opened the previous two, with a goal. This time it was Elsie Windes' turn as she fired one in much to the delight of the pro-USA crowd that remained in a frenzy throughout. Following another Russian goal Gregorka came with a lob shot to go up 9-4 and then Patty Cardenas connected on the lob as well. That was one too many lobs for Russia as they switched goalkeepers. Villa closed out the scoring in the quarter with a skip shot with under a minute remaining and it was 11-5 going into the fourth quarter. Early in the fourth Golda scored her third goal of the day following a five meter penalty and USA was cruising 12-5.

Betsey Armstrong had a solid day in net turning aside 10 shots. She was relieved in the fourth by Jaime Hipp who added a save as well and closed out the action for the USA as they came away with a 12-7 victory. Team USA was proficient on their power plays going 4/6 along with 2/2 on penalty shots. Russia struggled somewhat going 2/6. This win potentially avenges a loss for Team USA as they fell to Russia in the Gold Medal game of the FINA World League Super Final back in June.

Scoring:

USA: N. Golda 3, B. Villa 2, A. Gregorka 2, B. Hayes 1, P. Cardenas 1, J. Steffens 1, E. Windes 1, M. van Norman 1
RUSSIA: 7 (0,2,4,1) O. Turova 2, S. Konukh 2, E. Prokofyeva 1, E. Pantyulina 1, E. Soboleva 1

Saves - USA - B. Armstrong 10, J. Hipp 1; RUSSIA - V. Vorontsova 1

6x5 - USA - 4/6 (2/2 penalties); RUSSIA - 2/6

Release courtesy USA Water Polo