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USA Defeats China 8-3
By Greg Mescall // United States Water Polo // March 21, 2008
Behind a stellar defensive effort the USA Women's Senior National Team defeated China 8-3 in the second match of the "Good Luck Beijing" 2008 Water Polo China Open in Beijing, China. Team USA blanked the Chinese in the first half opening up a 2-0 lead after the first quarter and rolling into halftime in front 4-0.
China attempted a rally in the third quarter tallying their first two scores of the day but those were answered with two goals by the United States to keep the host team at bay and put the USA up 6-2 headed to the fourth. In the final stanza Team USA closed things out with two more scores to just one from China on their way to the five goal victory.
Natalie Golda led with two scores while a host of other players chipped in with one goal each. Jamie Hipp was stellar between the pipes refuting eight shots in the win. "Jamie was outstanding in the first half, she saved a penalty, a breakaway, an open dive in front of the goal, and a 6x5 shot," said USA Head Coach Guy Baker. "The game was closer than the score, especially in the first half. Even though China scored, we played excellent defense in the second half. They played a zone defense against us and presently that is giving us our biggest challenge. I believe China is a greatly improved team and should be a very formidable opponent at the Olympic Games," he concluded.
Team USA returns to the Ying Tung Natatorium on Saturday for their final game of the series against Australia which gets underway at 3:00pm local time (midnight PST).
Goal Scoring:
USA: 8 (2, 2, 2, 2)
CHN: 3 (0, 0, 2, 1)
USA Scoring: N. Golda 2, B. Villa 1, E. Figge 1, P. Cardenas 1, A. Gregorka 1, M. van Norman 1, B. Hayes 1
USA Saves: J. Hipp 8
6x5: USA - 1-4, CHN - 1-5
Penalty Shots: CHN: 0-1
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