Kiley Neushul advances vs Holland
BARCELONA – The United States’ Women’s Water Polo Team, with local products Kami Craig and Kiley Neushul, rebounded from a loss to Spain in the quarterfinals with a 12-1 victory over Holland on Wednesday at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.
Against the host country, Craig (SBAC, SBHS, USC) played a superb game at center forward scoring three goals without allowing the Spanish defender to foul and stop play. Craig?s overpowering performance showed the crowd of over 3,000 at Barcelona?s Bernat Picornell Swimming Pool that the three-time Olympian and two-time World Champion is still the world?s best center.
Craig?s offensive effort was matched by Spain?s outside shooters, particularly team captain Jennifer Pareja, who attacked the US drop defense early in the match scoring three outside goals along with one penalty shot. Defensively, Spain used a hard press from the outset, challenging the US to get the ball to center. The 2012 Olympic champions managed to draw exclusions but went 0 for 8 on extra player compared to Spain?s 4 for 7 performance. Despite this telling statistic the Americans pulled within one at the end of the third quarter.
Spain slammed the door in the fourth quarter, opening up a three-goal lead. Craig managed to stop the bleeding with a late goal but Team USA?s inability to find the back of the net meant Spain could now drop, slow down the offense, and prevent a US comeback. Final score was 9-6. The loss knocked the Americans out of the medal round and into the 5th through 8th place bracket.
Craig and Kiley Neushul each scored twice on Wednesday as US defeated a tough Dutch team 12-1. Earlier this month, the 2008 Olympic Champions defeated Team USA at the Dutch Cup in Gouda, Holland. Craig?s goals came and center forward while Neushul scored from outside and from right-hander on extra man. Craig came within an inch of a hat trick when her final shot off a power turn skipped and barely barred out. Friday evening Team USA will face Greece in the 5th place match. Australia and Spain will meet in the 2013 World Championship Game.
