Americans Rally to Top Canada, 12-9

Talk about a home-court advantage.

The United States women’s water polo team used it to the utmost Tuesday, defeating Canada, 12-9, in the opening round of the six-day, six-team Holiday Cup at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Los Alamitos.

Down by one heading into the final period, the U.S. women excited the partisan, overflow crowd of 1,500 at the National Aquatics Complex by scoring five unanswered goals while holding the visitors scoreless for almost seven minutes over the final two quarters.

“Canada’s a very good team,” U.S. Coach Guy Baker said. “They took it to us pretty good in the beginning and we were just reacting. Our defense definitely got much better each quarter.’

Canada’s defense collapsed on the center early in the game, forcing the U.S. game to the periphery. Ericka Lorenz put the U.S. ahead with a goal 36 seconds into the contest, but Canada regrouped to score four times in four minutes to take a 4-3 first-quarter lead.

The teams tallied two goals apiece in the second and third quarters but Lorenz’s 10-foot shot from the right with 2:14 to play in the third drew the U.S. within one goal.

Coralie Simmons tied the score 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 from one meter out with 4:09 to play.

Brenda Villa added two more goals, one on a penalty shot, and Heather Moody contributed one as the U.S. moved ahead by four.

“After the first quarter we were just sitting on defense and the U.S. took advantage of that,” said Canada Coach Dom Dion. “They just went after the balls and got them all as we stood by. Give them the credit.’

In other games Tuesday, the Netherlands beat Kazakhstan, 12-7, and Australia defeated Russia, 13-10.