Current:Home > MarketsU.S. women's water polo grinds out win for a spot in semifinals vs. Australia -Visionary Wealth Guides
U.S. women's water polo grinds out win for a spot in semifinals vs. Australia
View
Date:2025-04-14 12:39:33
NANTERRE, France — Team USA women’s water polo’s quest for a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal remains alive after the Americans knocked off Hungary, 5-4, in the quarterfinals Tuesday. Advancing to Thursday’s semifinals, they’ll take on Australia, which topped Greece, 9-6, earlier in the day.
“Me and Maggie [Steffens] hugged each other and just screamed in each other's faces, just acknowledging that we both put our whole selves into that game,” USA goalkeeper and three-time Olympian Ashleigh Johnson said.
“We both could see that effort and appreciate that effort, and it's on to the next one. We're like, ‘We got this.’”
In a hard-fought contest, the teams were fairly even throughout the match, and Team USA had a 3-2 lead after two quarters. Tied at 4-4 midway through the fourth quarter, three-time Olympian Rachel Fattal delivered the go-ahead goal with 3:02 left and ultimately sealed the victory for the Americans.
All about defense, it was the lowest combined women’s water polo score of the Olympics so far.
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
“We knew it was gonna be a grind,” Fattal said of Hungary. “We knew it was gonna be a tough game no matter what, whether it was high-scoring or low-scoring. And we knew we were gonna have to fight the whole time. So, no, it doesn't surprise me that it was low-scoring at all.”
Team USA’s captain, Steffens, a four-time Olympian, led the team with two goals off three shots, and Johnson made 17 saves on 21 shots on the day at Paris La Défense Arena.
“[Johnson] continues to set the bar extremely high,” Steffens said. “I think it's kind of funny how when she doesn't have over 15 saves — which is absurd — people are like, ‘Oh, tough game.' It's like, what?" …
“Something that's great about Ashleigh is it's just, it's not just her ability to block balls and be our wall back there, but she's a huge leader for us.”
The other semifinal match will feature Spain, which topped Canada, against Netherlands, which beat Italy in the quarterfinals Tuesday.
Spain and Netherlands are set to face off at 8:35 a.m. ET Thursday, while Team USA and Australia will play the second semifinal at 1:35 p.m. ET.
veryGood! (18817)
Related
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Florida man files a lawsuit to prevent Ohtani’s 50th HR ball from going to auction
- Ex-'Apprentice’ candidates dump nearly entire stake in owner of Trump’s Truth Social platform
- US resumes hazardous waste shipments to Michigan landfill from Ohio
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Kaitlyn Bristowe Addresses Run-In With Ex Jason Tartick on 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards Red Carpet
- Chicago White Sox sweep Los Angeles Angels, remain at 120 losses on season
- Athletics bid emotional farewell to Oakland Coliseum that they called home since 1968
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Tribal Members Journey to Washington Push for Reauthorization of Radiation Exposure Compensation Act
Ranking
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Halsey shares she was recently hospitalized for a seizure: 'Very scary'
- Travis Barker Shares One Regret About Raising Kids Landon and Alabama Barker With Shanna Moakler
- Country Core Is Fall’s Hottest Trend: Shop the Look Here
- Bodycam footage shows high
- Skip new CBS reality show 'The Summit'; You can just watch 'Survivor' instead
- Lady Gaga uncorks big band classics, her finest moment yet on 'Joker 2' album 'Harlequin'
- From 'Inside Out 2' to 'Challengers,' 15 movies you need to stream right now
Recommendation
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Richmond Fed president urges caution on interest rate cuts because inflation isn’t defeated
Louisiana prosecutors drop most serious charge in deadly arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene
'We've got a problem': Sheriff scolds residents for ignoring Helene evacuation order
Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
Nebraska to become 17th Big Ten school to sell alcohol at football games in 2025 if regents give OK
Lawyers in NCAA athlete-compensation antitrust cases adjust settlement proposal with judge
Don't ask the internet how much house you can afford. We have answers.