Musselman, Gilchrist help Team USA win FINA Tournament

Former Corona del Mar High star Maddie Musselman scored three goals as the U.S. women’s senior national water polo team beat Australia, 6-5, on Sunday to win the FINA Women’s Intercontinental Tournament in Lewisville, Texas.

Musselman led all players in the title game with the three goals. Former Newport Harbor and USC star Kaleigh Gilchrist also contributed for Team USA, which clinched a berth to the FINA World League Super Final this June in China.

Musselman scored her first two goals on the power play, then added another goal with 4:58 left in the fourth quarter to give Team USA a 6-4 lead. Australia would score again but the Americans would hold on.

The United States, the reigning FINA World Champions, went 6-0 overall in the tournament, including an 8-5 pool-play win over Australia in which Musselman and Gilchrist each scored a goal.

Maggie Steffens of Team USA was named tournament MVP and Australia’s Kelsey Wakefield earned top goalkeeping honors.

The United States will compete in the 2016 Olympics qualifying tournament beginning March 21 in the Netherlands.

— From staff reports