USA Women's Senior National Team Opens FINA WL Super Final With 17-7 Defeat Of Italy

Kirishi, Russia - The USA Women's Senior National Team got off to a great start at the FINA World League Super Final with a 17-7 victory over Italy. Lauren Wenger paced the USA attack with four goals in the victory that also marked the first international victory away from the United States for USA Head Coach Adam Krikorian.

The game started off in great fashion for Team USA as they built a 3-2 lead behind goals from Wenger, Brenda Villa, and Tanya Gandy. In the second, Italy would stay close tacking on two more goals but the United States countered with scores from Villa and Kelly Rulon, and at the half it was 5-4 in favor of Team USA.

It was the third quarter where the Red, White, and Blue really turned it on by piling up five goals, and allowing just two from Italy. Wenger went off for three goals and that was supplemented by scores from Rulon, Gandy, and the first International goal from Annika Dries. In the fourth it was more of the same as the United States goals kept on coming. Alison Gregorka scored twice, and Erika Figge, Elsie Windes, Heather Petri, and Brittany Hayes also added scores to propel Team USA to a 17-7 final score.

Jaime Komer went the distance in net, turning aside nine shots in the win. Along with Komer, the USA defense was solid forcing Italy into a 1 for 8 on power play advantages. Meanwhile Team USA converted two out of five opportunities in 6x5 advantages. On penalties both teams were a perfect 2/2. 

Team USA will take on China tomorrow at 2:30 local Russian time. In other action today Canada defeated Spain 11-8 and Australia defeated Greece 11-7.

Flash Quote: "It is good to get a game under our belt. The Italians have a young and inexperienced team, but I was impressed how they came out and competed. We started out slow, but I was pleased with how we played in the second half." - Adam Krikorian, Head Coach, Team USA

Scoring:

USA 17 (3, 2, 5, 5) L. Wenger 4, B. Villa 2, A. Gregorka 2, K. Rulon 2, T. Gandy 2, B. Hayes 1, A. Dries 1, E. Windes 1, E. Figge 1, H. Petri 1
ITA 7 (2, 2, 2, 1)

6x5 – Italy – 1/8 – USA – 2/5
Penalties – Italy 2/2 – USA 2/2