The United States narrowly defeated 8-9 Greece overnight.
In the first of three World Cup warm-up games against their European counterparts, it was the United States who mustered the winner in the last quarter at Las Positas College in Livermore, CA.
USA led by two scores for a large chunk of the match. Greece hit back in the second half (8-8), but Tara Prentice’s goal with five minutes to play was the only difference.
Both sides are preparing for the Women’s World Cup Finals tournament in Long Beach which takes place later this month (23-25 June). Greece finds themselves up against Hungary in the quarter finals, while the hosts will face the first ranked team from Division 2, Israel.
Stanford’s Jewel Roemer didn’t lose any of her excellent form from the season, with a hat-trick game for the reigning World and Olympic Champions. Tara Prentice worked well from centre, finding two scores.
Three Greeks enjoyed two goal games, including the returning Eleftheria Plevritou, Maria Myriokefalitaki and new Ethnikos signing Eirini Ninou.
While Greece’s form was not particularly encouraging in the first round of the World Cup, they more than matched their hosts this morning.
The two teams meet again on June 12th and then June 15th – the third and final match will be a testimonial to Melissa Seideman.
Greece 8 – 9 United States (1-1, 2-4, 3-3, 2-1)
Greece: C. Diamantopoulou, E. Plevritou 2, I. Chydirioti, N. Eleftheriadou 1, M. Plevritou, E. Xenaki 1, E. Ninou 2, E. Elliniadi, C. Siouti, V. Plevritou, A. Giannopoulou, M. Myriokefalitaki 2,I. Stamatopoulou.
United States: A. Johnson, M. Musselman 2, T. Prentice 2, R. Fattal, A. Johnson, M. Steffens, E. Ausmus, J. Roemer 3, R. Neushul 1, D. Mammolito, E. Woodhead, B.Weber, J. Flynn 1 A. Longan.
Read more about Women’s water polo
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For more video content, subscribe to our Youtube Channel and Tik Tok account
