KIley Neushul defends against a Hungary shooter in front of goalie Sami Hill during quarterfinal action at the FINA Women's Junior World Championships. (Photo by Peter Neushul)
Team USA lost a double overtime thriller to Hungary, 9-8, at the FINA Women’s Junior World Championships in Trieste, Italy on Thursday.
Sami Hill (Dos Pueblos/UCLA) had her best game of the tournament with 15 saves, including two one-on-one stops. Kiley Neushul (Dos Pueblos/Stanford) led the U.S. with two goals. Neushul scored the first goal of the game off a perfect full-court (22 meter) pass from Hill.
The U.S. led until the fourth quarter when Hungary tied the score 7-7. Hungary then took the lead by one and the U.S. pulled even 8-8 with less than a minute left. The game then went into extra time with neither team scoring in the first of two three minute periods. Hungary broke the deadlock with a goal late in the second over time period and won the game 9-8.
Team USA continued to struggle converting their extra player advantages. The team earned an astonishing 17 kick outs but scored only three goals. Hungary was 2 for 7 with the advantage.
The U.S. women play Italy on Friday with the winner advancing to the fifth place game on Saturday. Italy lost a close match with Russia 7-6 in another quarterfinal match up. The U.S. defeated the host nation 11-4 on the first day of the Junior World Championship.
Peter Neushul reported and took photo from Trieste, Italy
