With Stanford grad Kiley Neushul scoring four goals, the USA Water Polo Women's National Team delivered a convincing victory to open play at the 2016 Olympic Qualification Tournament by routing Japan, 18-1, Monday today at in Gouda, Netherlands.
Team USA next will take on Canada on Tuesday.
Stanford grad Kiley Neushul had four goals in an 18-1 romp over Japan. Photo courtesy of USA Water Polo.
The second quarter saw more of the same with Neushul and Fattal adding goals following a penalty shot score from Stanford's Maggie Steffens. Maddie Musselman scored her second of the quarter with just 40 seconds left to push the lead to 11-0. Japan got its only goal just before halftime as Team USA led 11-1 at intermission.
Scoring slowed a bit in the second half, but the United States maintained control of the match. The third period saw just two goals, both Stanford freshman Makenzie Fischer. Craig resurfaced in the fourth with two of the first three goals in the period for a 16-1 lead with 3:50 left in the match. Aria Fischer and Neushul closed out the scoring.
Team USA converted four of six power-play opportunities and made both penalty shots. This was the second meeting ever between the USA and Japan, with the Americans registering a 19-2 win in February in Lewisville, Texas.
