U.S. Stays Perfect With Win

The United States has been steaming along at the Holiday Cup women’s water polo tournament at the Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center and Thursday night was no different.

The Americans got goals from nine players and handled their Russian opponent, 13-7.

Ericka Lorenz and Coralie Simmons scored three goals each and goalie Bernice Orwig, who sat out Wednesday’s victory over Australia, stopped eight shots.

“We’ve definitely come a long way since qualifying for the Olympics,” Lorenz said. “Since then we’ve really gained a lot of confidence. Playing here is a chance to prove that we are a good team and to see how far we have come.”

Canada defeated Kazakhstan, 10-6, behind four goals from Johanne Begin, and Australia held off The Netherlands, 7-5.

The U.S. (3-0) has a one-game lead over Canada and Australia and faces winless Kazakhstan tonight and the Netherlands on Saturday. The Americans are hopeful of earning a berth in Sunday’s championship.

“I’m happy with where we are,” Coach Guy Baker said. “It all seems to be coming together. I’m happy with where we are in our offense, for us to be putting quite a few goals on the boards.”

About the only trouble the U.S. experienced was in the second quarter. After taking a 4-1 lead, the U.S. gave up three consecutive Russian goals, all with a man advantage.

But a goal by Courtney Johnson on an assist by Simmons put the U.S. back in the lead.

“We were not together in that quarter,” Lorenz said. “There was a lot of individual efforts going on and we let down after getting the lead like we did.”