The U.S. women’s water polo team fought a technically superior Spanish squad to a 9–9 tie Wednesday.
Spain outplayed the U.S. squad in the first half, earning a 5–3 lead.
The third quarter was big for the U.S. women. Kami Craig scoredher second goal of the night, and 30 seconds later Annika Dreis scored. Spain got one back; then U.S. center back Maggie Steffens got called for a shooting foul. Penalty shots in water polo are free goals—usually.
U.S. keeper Betsey Armstrong got a hand on this one, keeping the U.S. within one goal—one goal which Kami Craig scored 15 seconds later.
Seemingly inspired by this, the entire U.S. team turned up the volume. Kami Craig scored two more goals, and Brenda Villa and Courtney Mathewson each added one, while Armstrong became an impenetrable barrier.
Unfortunately this enthusiasm ran out three minutes before the game clock, and Spain came back to score three in those final three minutes, tying the match. The U.S. ladies were stronger but didn’t have the endurance to close it out.