Saturday, July 21, 2007

we won

we won 6-4...more info to come later...
petri 1, figge 1,villa 1, wenger 1, gregorka 2....
Betsy...like one hundred saves...
Pictures and more details to come..Not our best game of water polo..but we found a way to win..
we held Canada to 0-7 on 6on5...and we went 2-5 on 6on5..the difference in the game...

We're going to Beijing...

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Pan American's: Game 5

Game 5
USA vs Puerto Rico

Last game of prelimanary round and Team USA displays whats its capable of doing when they are in tune from the beginning of the game...Team USA starts out with a 5-0 run...Wenger converts on a 6on5 goal to open up the scoring..Wenger gives an assists to Villa on a 3on2 counter attack....Then Kami Craig converts a center goal....Team USA earns another ejection and Van Norman with a perfect pause scores from the post...Figgee scores her first of five with a natural goal from the outside...Puerto Rico earns an exclusion with :40 sec left in the quarter and converts...to end the quarter 5-1..
The first couple minutes of the second quarter passed by as both teams had a couple of turnovers...With 3 min into the quarter team USA earns an ejection...Petri gives Gregorka an awesome pass on the post which she converts into the first goal of the quarter....Another couple minutes pass by and Figge fires her second goal past the puerto rican goalie..The half ends 7-1 for Team USA...
The first 4 minutes of the third quarter seemed like a swim meet...finally team USA earns an ejection and Villa converts...Figee then scores her 3rd goal of the goal with another outside bullet.....Puerto Rico then gets on the board again with an outside shot....
VanNorman open up the fourth quarter with another perfect shot from the post...In the next offensive posession Figge once again fires in another goal....Two posessions later Team USA comes down with a counter attack which Gregorka converts...But it was a great structured counter attack which started with a pass from Petri to Steffens and finally to gregorka to finish it with a goal...The last goal of the game was scored by Figee after outsmarted the goalie..she ball facked a pass into set the goalie bit come out and Figee lobbed it into the goal...The final score was 13-2....

Figee 5, Villa 2, Wenger 1, Gregorka 1,VanNorman 2, Kraig 1

**** Brazil beat Cuba 10-5...
Team USA will play Cuba tomorrow at 4:30pm in the Semi’s....

TEAM USA visits brazilian beach!!

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Pan American's: Game 4

Pan American Game’s
USA vs Brazil....
Game 4

Cheering has been taken to a new level..I have never been booed getting off a bus...Today we played Brazil in the last game of the day...During warm up the lights the light up the field of play were turned off and the only lights on were in the stands...There the brazilians were dancing singing and getting ready to cheer the home team on and to boo the Americans..
But as the lights went on Team USA was up to the challenge of hearing “the silence”...
The Brazilian were first to draw blood of a US exclusion...Next possesion US scores a natural goal...A lob by Villa....Once again Brazil draws another ejection and scores...We come down on offense and draw our on ejection, Figge converts..First quarter ends in a 2-2 tie..The crowd was fired up by the Brazilian team which gave the brazilian players some confidence...The second quarter started with a natural counter attack goal from Windes..To put team USA up for the first time in the game..We then earned another ejection and Steffens converted.....That was followed by a natural outside bullet by Golda..the quarter ended with a USA exclusion and a USA 5on6 stuff..We went into the Half with a 5-2 lead...We started the half with a 6on5 goal from Cardenas...3:00 min went by before any team was able to convert any ejections or posessions..With 3:00 min left in the 3rd quarter team USA was called for an ejection...Brazil converted and the place went wild...That would be the last time the crowd would be heard.....To close out the quarter Gregorka and Windes converted natural goals to give team USA a 5 goal led to end the quarter 8-3....Team USA scored first in the fourth quarter with a fabulous center goal by vanNorman which then brought on the silence in the stands..4:00min went by and Team USA earned an ejection..Villa converted and that was the last goal scored of the game which ended 10-3....


Figee 1, Villa 2, Golda 1, Cardenas 1, Steffens 1, Windes 2, Gregorka 1, vanNorman 1
*****Cuba ties Canada 7-7....

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

BRASIL

We play brasil tonight...so excited to play in such a hostile environment...wish all water polo games and tournaments had such great atmosphere and fans..
GO USA!!!!!

Pan American's: Game 3

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USA vs CANADA

Maybe there was a little hope in thinking that the brazilian crowd would cheer for us instead of Canada..Who likes canada anyways??..But I was definately wrong....Good thing we never have huge crowds and if there are huge crowds its never in our favor...
The Canadiens definately won the 6on5 battle last night but we walked away with the win...We didnt start as sharp as we had talked about but we definately picked up our play as the game went on and matched their intensity..They came out throwing the kitchen sink at us..
Canada drew first blood scoring a 6on5 goal...But we responded with a natural goal from Villa....Then it became a swim meet with both teams trying to push the counter and pick up the tempo of the game..
We continued to struggle a bit in the second quarter but we were able to score a nice transition goal from the center Van norman put one in the net after a great entry pass by Gregorka..The half ended tied at 4-4...
The third quarter we found some new energy and came out attacking...we were able to came back from being down 5-6 to going up 8-6.Their was some great teamwork and exection..Kraig scored a ball from the center position that was perfect.We also scored a a couple 6on5 by lauren wenger with patience after Canada stormed..however at the end of the quarter Villa was excluded with 12 secs left in the third quarter and Canada found the back of the net with 3 sec left in the game...to bring Canada back within one...
The fourth quarter began with a US natural goal that put them back up by two...The rest of the fourth quarter was a defensive battle..The US maintained composure with their 6on5 scored to maintain their two goal led....

Villa 2, Wenger 2, Golda 2, Windes 1, Kraig 2, VanNorman 1...
10-5~~~6on5
5-8~~~~5on5

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Pan American's: Game 2

Pan American Games
Game 2
USA vs Cuba...
The cubans came out with their A game..while we struggled with our C game...we had 7 turnovers in the first half...Not good...The score at the end of the first quarter was 3-2...The Cubans were up 3-1 at one point...the second quarter we continued to turn the ball over on offense and give the cubans some pretty good opportunities that they did not waste...The half ended with us leading 5-3....The second half was an entirely new USA team...the first two offensive posession goals were produced by Cardenas and Windes..To give us a cushion that we kind of ran away with...Golda then came in and blasted a perfect bar in that even the crowd had to admire...the just "ooed" instead of booed..The rest of the third quarter saw some great counter attacking by Gregorka and Golda...The fourth quarter saw a couple more goals by team USA and a couple from Cuba...They got most of their goals on 6on5...Tomorrow we will need to ready for everything..I have no doubt that we will..
goals~~~~Villa 1, Wenger 1, Golda 4, Cardenas 1, Steffens 2, Windes 1, Gregorka 3, VanNorman 1
**11 turnovers total...7 in first half
**1/6 --6on5
**4/9--5on6
Tomorrow
USA vs Canada....

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Pan American's: Game 1

Pan American Games...
Game 1
USA vs Venezuela..
Villa 3, Wenger 3, Golda 3, Steffens 2, Gregorka 3, Kraig 6, VanNormon 1

Walking onto the ramp for introductions was definately a thrill tonight..When the home crowd boo’s you it definately gets your attention and gives you a little extra motivation to demonstrate why you are #1 in the world...The first half of the game we come out counter attacking...the score at the end of the first was 5-0...We continued to counter attack and push our transition in the second..we ended the second quarter 12-0 at half....The third quarter we decided to work on our transition game we earned a couple more ejections and our centers went to work and had a scoring festival with perfect form at set...The venezuelans were able to score a backhand and a 6on5..to end the quarter 19-2...The fourth quarter went by with the least amount of goals scored...the venezuelans scored one more 6on5 goal and we put up 2 more goals...The final score was 21-3...

****Canada vs Brazil 4-2...
the brazilians had a packed stadium filled with dancing and cheering..the canadiens struggling a litle bit with the energy and aggresiveness the brazilians showed up with...The end of the first quarter was 1-1...then 2-1...2-1...the canadiens finally opened up the game with two quick goals in the fourth and brazil added a one more to keep it interesting..Brazil played really well...


Cuba vs Puerto Rico
was a nail bitter...with the cubans coming out on top 12-11...Puerto Rico missed a 5m with 45 sec left in the game..Cuba on the next possesion earned an ejection and scored the winning goal..

USA plays CUBA tomorrow at 4:30pm...Go USA!!!!

Viva Essa Energia

LOOK HOW CUTE WE LOOK AT OPENING CEROMONIES!!
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Opening ceremonies....Brasil knows what its doing and did a fantastic job....We as athletes only paraded for about 15 min and we were able to sit and watch most of the entertainment....Some how we, the water polo girls made it to front of the US delegation right behind the flag bearer....we also were able to sit in the front row in the stadium right next to the torch that was light at the end of the opening ceremonies to officially open the games...The village is brand new and well done...About half the US delegation is here...lots of sports are coming in next week...The theme of the games is “Viva essa energia” ~~Share the energy...Brasil certainly knows how to bring the energy..Go USA..

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"THE TORCH"

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Team USA visits nation's capital

We are currently in DC training for a couple of days before heading down to Brazil for the Pan American Games..We will be in action on Saturday beginning with Venezuela...In the meantime we ran around the historical area of DC getting inspired and being proud to represent our country....GO USA!!!!

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Sunday, July 8, 2007

World League Champions...

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Thanks Mr. Figge for the pictures....!!!

WORLD LEAGUE CHAMPIONS BACK TO BACK!!!!

Game 5
USA vs Australia
Championship Game
We were able to defend our World League Title against the Australians today ..We talked about minimizing our turnovers and working a little harder on offense...We were able to break down their very aggresive press and over committing offense..the battle of 6on5 and 5on6 made a difference in the game..We won that battle..we kept their 6on5 to 1 of 9....and we were able to connect on 5 of 11..6on5...nice job girls...Petie opened up the scoring with a 6on5 goal in the first posession of the game..We continued with a outside bullet by Natalie Golda..Petie scored one more 6on5 goal to end the first quarter with a 3-1 lead..
I think the half ended with a lead of 5-3.Two goals contributed by lauren wenger, one on 6on5 and another natural from the outside..The details are a little blurry..I do remember that Kami Craig had an awesome goal from center in the 3rd quarter...followed up by another goal on 6on5 by cardenas...The third quarter ended with a 7-3 US lead..The fourth quarter was rounded up by 1 more goal from each team...I added the last goal for us on a 6on5...
US wins 8-4....
Petri 2, Villa 1, Wenger 2,golda 1, Cardenas 1, Kraig 1...
****The greeks ended up beating the canadiens in the 3rd place game....**
Now we head to DC for a couple days before we head to Brasil for the Pan American games...

New website

Here's a new website dedicated to information about all women's national teams..quick up to date info.
http://www.usawomenswaterpolo.org
check it out....
B
GO USA!!

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Who is Clarissa?? any guesses??
TEAM USA 2007 "RIDING THE METRO" AFTER WATCHING THE CANADA VS AUSTRALIA GAME.. WE PLAY AUSTRALIA TOMORROW IN THE FINAL!!! GO USA!!!

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World League Day 4

World League
USA VS GREECE
The battle of defense was in full swing tonight.The greeks have a special talent to lure teams into a slow tempo game.They play great zone and soft press defense,that encourages other teams to slow down there play.
The greeks were first to get on board with a 6on5 goal, We responded with a great outside goal from Natalie Golda..1-1 end of first quarter...The second quarter displayed some of lauren wenger's versatality, with a goal from the center position..Then Golda fired a "nasty" shot in the goal (welcome back), to put us up 3-1.. The greeks come up big once again with a 6on5 goal..To end the second quarter 3-2..The third quarter goals by both teams were produced by 6on5 goals...We took a lot more shots in the third quarter but unfortunately most of the them connected with the bar and not the net..Going into the fourth quarter we were up 4-3..The fourth quarter was a battle, the greeks were able to draw a 5m two minutes into the 4th quarter and tied the score..Both teams were putting up shots and putting the ball into the center position to try and draw exclusions..Elsie Windes gunned a shot from the outside to put us up 5-4..With under a minute left to play Greece calls a time out and sets up a play..they draw a 6on5 and Betsey Armstrong comes up big with a save..We swim the ball and come up with the win..

USA wins...
Wenger 1, Golda 2, Windes 1, Kraig 1

tomorrow we will face the Aussies once again in the final...
The australians beat the Canadians tonight 11-8 to advance into the final...

Friday, July 6, 2007

World League
Game 3
USA vs CHINA

I first want to welcome back Golda and Betsy.. This is their first game back after sickness and injuty..Moriah was sick today and wasnt able to join us in the battle against the chinese..So...The chinese are getting a little better at water polo..At the end of the first quarter we were tied 1-1...believe it...We must have hit about 5 bars in the first quarter..Second quarter rolled around and it was still a close game..We put away some shots and the half ended with 4-1 lead for us...We cracked it open a little more in the 3rd quarter and it ended up 7-2..The fourth quarter seemed a bit of a swim meet..With not many goals..the game ended 9-2 for the US...Both goalies played today..

Figge 1, Wenger 1, Cardenas 3, Steffens 2, Windes 1, Kraig 1..
With today's win we are definately in the finals of of the world league..Tomorrow we play greece...
Go USA!!!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

World League
Day 2
Usa vs Australia
Tough game..Today was the first one goal game of the summer..We were tested..We were down 3-2 at the end of the first quarter..They scored their first 2 6on5s and we were struggling with our 6on5...With the officiating being really inconsistent it was really hard to get into a flow but we stepped up our team defense...Australia forces you to play really good team defense with all the driving and cutoffs they do..In the second half we were able to break down their press and score a couple 6on5..we were up 8-7 going into the fourth quarter..The momentum had swung our way and our conditioning definately paid off..we stepped up our defense and didnt give them many offensive options...We were able to create a counter attack opportunity and score it..Heather Petri scored this counter attack goal that deflated the aussies a bit...They were rewarded a 6on5 with 1;35 left in the game..We come up with a big block..I believe Moriah got a hand on it (YES)..We were able to control the ball play one more posession of good defense and pull out the tough win..Good thing our 5on6 was on tonight because our 6on5 struggled..
We won...9-8
Petri 1, Figge 1, Villa 1, Wenger 1, Windes 2, Gregorka 2, VanNorman

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

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World League
Game 1
USA vs Spain..
We started out our summer adventure with a little rain on opening day.Our first rival was Spain.The final score was 12-3..We started out a little slow on the offensive side but our defense kept them to one goal in the first quarter...Our 5on6 was was money tonight..The game was called really tight and a lot of ejections were called..
goal scorers: petri 2, villa 1, wenger 2, cardenas 1, steffens 3, windes 1, van norman 1, craig 1

Tomorrow we play Australia..wish us luck...
GO USA!!!
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY...HOPE YOU ATE LOTS OF HOT DOGS!