USA Today named the youngest player of the U.S. women's national water polo team, Maggie Steffens, from Danville, Calif., athlete of the week in honor of her outstanding performance at the 2010 FINA World League Super Final.
In spite of her young age Steffens did not lose her nerves and delivered when it mattered the most during the penalty-shootout between the U.S. and Australia in the tournament finale that determined which team would win the gold medal.
"[Maggie] has no fear," said Adam Krikorian, Head Coach, USA. "She's a great competitor; she's just going to leave it all out there and I felt very confident with her out there and putting her last, and she'll remember this for a very long time."
After U.S. goalkeeper Betsey Armstrong blocked Australian Jemma Dessauvagie's shot during the shootout Steffens sealed the deal for her team with a last goal that earned the U.S. team the win with a final score of 12-11 and a fifth gold medal since the event was inaugurated in 2003. As a result Armstrong's level of excellence as goalkeeper was recognized at the tournament.
"It's disappointing to lose in a penalty shootout, said Greg McFadden, Head Coach, Australia. "I'd rather see some other form of deciding. It's a team, not an individual game."
Greece took home the Bronze Medal with a shootout victory over Russia 8-7 while China claimed fifth place with a win over Hungary and the Netherlands rounded things out claiming seventh place with a win over Canada.
Complete women's 2010 FINA World League Super Final results:
1. USA
2. Australia
3. Greece
4. Russia
5. China
6. Hungary
7. Netherlands
8. Canada
Comments