Four Bruins Win Medals at 2018 FINA World Cup
September 10, 2018 | Women's Water Polo
Three UCLA Americans won gold while one Bruin Aussie won bronze.
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Three Bruins were a part of the squad, which includes head coach Adam Krikorianย (UCLA player from 1992-95)ย as well as attacker Rachel Fattal (UCLA player from 2013-15 and 2017) and defenderย Alys Williams (UCLA player from 2013-15 and 2017).
Maggie Steffensย (Danville, CA/Stanford/NYAC) scored three goals in the final and was named Most Valuable Player. Ashleigh Johnsonย (Miami, FL/Princeton/NYAC) did the job in net making 11 saves and was named top goalkeeper. To watch a full replay of the matchย click hereย to visit FINA TV (subscription required). For all other match replays,ย click here.
Team USA opened play with an 18-2 win over New Zealand (Sept. 4) with Fattal and Williams each scoring two goals. Williams added another goal the following day as the United States beat South Africa, 26-1 (Sept. 5). Then Fattalย added a score in the 17-3 win over Canada (Sept. 6) as Team USA won Group B (3-0). Fattal led the Americans with four goals in the 15-5 quarterfinal win over China (Sept. 7) with Williams adding one score. The United States advanced to the gold medal game with an 11-5 win over Spain (Sept. 8) in the semifinals.ย
With the victory the USA Water Polo Women's National Team maintains their status as current champions of the Olympic Games, FINA World Championship, FINA World Cup and FINA World League.ย
Another Bruin, Bronte Halligan, was a utility on the Australian National Team that capped off itsย FINA World Cup campaign in style with a thrilling 9-8 win over Spain to clinch the bronze medal.ย After drawing to the Spaniards during the preliminary rounds of the tournament, the match looked to be in for another close encounter and went down to the final seconds.
"A bronze medal game is always a tricky one, coming off a loss the day before, but we are super excited to come away with the win," Halliganย told Water Polo Australia. "We have had a long tour and then a week-long tournament, so it is nice to be able to see the team step up in a big game and get the win."
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