The U.S. women's water polo team celebrates its gold medal at the FINA Water Polo World League Super Final on June 11, 2017 in Shanghai.
The U.S. women continue to dominate the FINA Water Polo World League.
Team USA captured its fourth consecutive championship Sunday with a 12-6 victory over Canada in the Super Final title game in Shanghai, matching their record of four straight victories from 2009-12. The U.S. women have won 11 championships in the 14-year history of the event and went undefeated in six matches at this year’s tournament.
The U.S. team enjoyed a balanced scoring attack, with Makenzie Fischer, Maddie Musselman, Jamie Neushul, Kiley Neushul and Jordan Raney each recording two goals. Maggie Steffens and Melissa Seidemann also scored for Team USA.
Fischer, Musselman, Kiley Neushul, Steffens and Seidemann, plus Rachel Fattal, were all members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team that won a second consecutive gold medal in Rio, with Seidemann and Steffens also winning gold in 2012.
On Sunday, Team USA led 6-4 at halftime and never trailed in the match. Musselman boosted the lead to 7-4 in the third period before Canada scored on the power play goal to cut the deficit back to two goals. That is as close as Canada would get, as Team USA then went on to score five of the last six goals to seal the victory.
Hayley McKelvey and Emma Wright each scored two goals each for Canada.
Team USA defeated Hungary 8-4 in the semifinals Saturday. Canada earned its berth in the final with an 11-10 upset win against Russia.
In Sunday’s bronze-medal match, Russia defeated Hungary 9-7.
Thomas Neumann is a Florida-based writer and journalist who previously worked at ESPN and the San Diego Union-Tribune. He is a freelance contributor to TeamUSA.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
