WORLD AQUATICS WOMEN'S U18 WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS
GAME 2: USA 16 d AUSTRALIA 12
Our Aussies went down in a hard fought game against the USA overnight, scoring 12 goals to their opponents 16.
The first to score, USA came out hard at the World Aquatics Women's U18 Water Polo Championships, finishing the first quarter ahead 4-2.
Despite scoring first in the second quarter, Australia found the net just once more during the second block of game time, with USA scoring another three goals to extend their overall lead by one goal.
The teams continued to battle it out in the pool during the second half of the match, testing each other and applying pressure. Despite Australia outscoring USA in the final quarter, a huge third quarter from USA - in which they scored seven times - saw them seal the deal.
The team will now prepare to face Hungary in their final Preliminary Round match later this evening.
REPLAY:
COMING UP: Australia vs Hungary, Wednesday 18 September, 7:30pm AEST
GAME 1: AUSTRALIA 15 d NEW ZEALAND 12
The Australian 18&U Women's team have started their World Championships campaign on a high, beating New Zealand 15-12 in their first game of the tournament.
The close game saw the two teams go goal for goal in the first quarter, with both Australia and New Zealand recording four goals each in the first eight minutes.
The trend continued in the second quarter, with a goal from Australia in the first minute of play followed by two goals from our neighbours across the ditch. A final goal from our Aussies saw the teams tied 6-6 going into the second half of the match.
Captain Chelsea Isaac scored her first goal of the match to open the scoring just 20 seconds into the third quarter, scoring another two over the following minutes. Additional goals from player of the match, Sienna Owen, and teammate Jemma Potts saw Australia establish a two point lead going into the final eight minutes.
Four more goals from Australia saw them seal the deal, ultimately beating New Zealand on the opening day of the World Championships.
Aussie player Matilda Waugh said the team was thrilled to come away with the win.
"I think the team definitely felt those first game nerves but we went in excited and ready to go and came out with the win, so we're very happy," said Waugh.
"We'll rest now and focus on a few of the aspects of our game that we want to tidy up between now and when we Play the USA tomorrow. We'll come together as a team and make sure we're excited and ready to go for our next game as a team."
REPLAY:
COMING UP: Australia vs USA, Tuesday 17 September, 7:30pm AEST
For full results - click here.
Australia: Bridget Cranley (UWA, WA), Bless Daly (Polo Bears, QLD), Christina DiGiandomenico (Drummoyne, NSW), Saskia Dunn (Balmain, NSW), Tilly Hughes (Polo Bears, QLD), Chelsea Isaac (UNSW, NSW), Olivia Muir (Mermaids, QLD), Isla Mulligan (Triton, WA), Sienna Owen (Mermaids, QLD), Emma Pittman (Triton, WA), Jemma Potts (Richmond, VIC), Izzy Scott (Melville, WA), Indiana Smith (Balmain, NSW), Charley Stephens (Drummoyne, NSW), Matilda Waugh (Balmain, NSW)
Watch live: click here
