U.S. Women Struggle to Win

A standing-room-only crowd of more than 1,500 fans jammed the USA Water Polo National Aquatics Complex in Los Alamitos as six women’s teams spent the Fourth of July tuning up for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Those in attendance witnessed a thriller in the final game Tuesday night as the U.S. women rallied to defeat Canada, 12-9, on the first day of the 2000 Holiday Cup. The six-day, round-robin tournament runs through Sunday.

“It was so exciting to play in front of this many people,� said U.S. Coach Guy Baker. “And it probably will help us deal with things down the road. All the distractions that we had here--the crowds, the noise, fireworks--will get us used to playing in conditions like that.�

Nearby, more than 25,000 people engaged in all manner of revelry, picnicking, biking and touring the Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center where the aquatics complex is located. There was music, food and fireworks--and world-class water polo.

With Russia, Kazakhstan, Australia, Canada and defending Olympic champion Netherlands in the field, the tournament has a decidedly international flavor. But on Independence Day, the host U.S. women seemed to enjoy the advantage.

Several rounds of fireworks exploded shortly after the game began, startling the crowd and setting off numerous car alarms. Two military jets screamed overhead minutes later, followed by a low-flying helicopter.

Crowds poured onto the base throughout the afternoon to take up positions for a fireworks show after the games.

Those entering the aquatics complex for the day’s final game watched the U.S. women shake off a sluggish start to defeat Canada.

Down by one goal heading into the final period, the American women scored five unanswered goals and held Canada scoreless for almost seven minutes over the final two quarters.

Canada’s defense focused on the insideearly on, forcing the U.S. offense to the periphery, where it sputtered. After five passes, Ericka Lorenz scored 36 seconds into the contest, but Canada regrouped and led, 4-3, after one quarter.

The teams scored two goals apiece in the second and third quarters, and Lorenz’s 10-foot shot from the right with 2:14 remaining in the third drew the U.S. within one.

Coralie Simmons tied it two minutes into the fourth when she scored on a penalty shot, and the U.S. reclaimed the lead--and the crowd--for good when captain Gubba Sheehy scored with 4:09 to play.

“Every time we got to within one goal, they scored and we were down by two again,� Baker said. “ We finally got going there and were able to sustain it.�

Brenda Villa added two more goals, and Heather Moody contributed one as the U.S. moved ahead by four in the waning moments.

The U.S. team ultimately broke down Canada’s defense by bringing the play closer to the net. It forced Canada’s offense to the outside, leaving the visitors playing catch near mid-pool in the second half.

“They [the U.S.] didn’t execute for three quarters and when they did they caught us just sitting there,� said Canada Coach Dom Dion.

In other games played Tuesday:

Netherlands 12, Kazakhstan 7--After leading 4-2 after one quarter, the Netherlands opened a 7-3 halftime lead, then withstood Kazakhstan’s three-goal, third-period outburst to secure the win. Leading scorer Karen Kuippers had three goals. Natalya Galkina made three of four shots for Kazakhstan (3-7).

Australia 13, Russia 10--The Australians took a 7-2 halftime lead, then held on for the victory. Bridgette Gusterson scored four goals, and Simone Hankin added two, while goalie Elizabeth Weekes made five saves, four in the final period.