Water Polo Australian women's water polo team claims silver in FINA World League 2010
06 Jul 2010
The Australian Stingers women’s water polo team has lost narrowly 12–11 to the United States in a thrilling penalty shootout to claim silver at the FINA World League Super Finals in La Jolla, California on 3 July.
The United States scored the opening goal of the match and led 4–2 by half time. But the Stingers made a strong comeback narrowing the lead to 5–4 by the start of the fourth quarter.
In a tight battle in the final quarter Bronwen Knox scored the next goal to tie the game 5–5. The United States replied with a goal through Heather Petri. Australia scored the next two goals through Glencora Ralph and Sophie Smith taking the lead 7–6 with just two minutes to go.
The United States scored the last goal in the final minute through Tanya Gandy to level, resulting in a penalty shootout with the United Stated defeating Australia 5–4.
Captain Bronwen Knox was the highest scoring Australian with four goals for the match.
14 current Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) athletes played in the Australian women’s water polo squad coached by Greg McFadden, which included Victoria Brown, Gemma Beadsworth, Sophie Smith, Alicia Brightwell, Jane Moran, Bronwen Knox, Rowena Webster, Glencora Ralph, Jemma Dessauvagie, Zoe Arancini, Melissa Rippon, Nicola Zagame, Keesja Gofers and Kelsey Wakefield.
Knox and Gemma Beadsworth were named in the World All-Star team for the tournament.
The Stingers have been preparing for the FINA World League Super Finals at the Australian Sports Commission’s European Training Centre in Varese, northern Italy which is strategically-based in close proximity to major European competition.
The ETC is being used by the Australian Stingers in training and preparation for the 2012 London Olympic Games and beyond.
