U.S. women’s water polo team members Friday are undoubtedly saying, “Wait until tomorrow,” after they lost for the first time in 2016, falling to Australia, 5-4, in an exhibition game at Beckman High School in Irvine.
Nicola Zagame scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 49 seconds to play Thursday night. The U.S committed a turnover on its final possession to fall to 17-1 for the year, including four victories over Australia.
The score was tied 3-3 at halftime. Neither team scored in the third quarter. Australia took a 4-3 lead on Gemma Beadsworth’s goal early in the fourth quarter. The U.S. tied the score, 4-4, on Maggie Steffens’ goal with 3:46 left.
The first quarter ended in a 1-1 tie. Rachel Fattal of Seal Beach, one of seven players from Orange County on the 17-player U.S. roster, opened the scoring. Ash Southern scored for Australia with one second left in the quarter.
Rowie Webster gave Australia a 2-1 lead midway through the second quarter. The U.S took a 3-2 lead on a power-play goal by Melissa Seidemann and an even-strength goal by Maddie Musselman, a Corona del Mar High School senior.
Bronwen Knox scored a power-play goal for Australia on its next possession.
U.S. goalkeeper Sami Hill made five saves and her Australian counterpart Lea Yanitsas nine.
The U.S was two for eight on the power play and Australia two for seven. Fattal failed to score on the game’s only penalty shot.
—City News Service