Fischer sisters help keep U.S. undefeated

The first two matches are out the way for the U.S. Olympic women’s water polo team, which claimed its initial victories this week at the Rio Games in Brazil.

Team USA, which includes sisters Makenzie and Aria Fischer of Laguna Beach, was impressive in its opener Tuesday against Spain, taking an 11-4 victory in a Group B game at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre.

It was four years ago to the day Tuesday that the U.S. defeated Spain in the gold medal game of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.

The U.S. took a 2-0 lead and led 4-1 after one quarter.

“I think [Tuesday’s) game against Spain was a great way to start off the tournament,” Makenzie Fischer said. “We have been waiting to start playing for awhile now and it felt great to get some of the nerves out.”

Team USA continued to pull away by scoring the first two goals of the second quarter before a Spain goal put the score at 6-2. Makenzie Fischer scored on a penalty shot — one of two penalty shot goals in the game for the U.S., and closed out the scoring in the first half, which ended with the U.S. holding a 7-2 lead.

Team USA took a 9-4 lead into the fourth quarter where it held Spain scoreless. U.S. goalie Ashleigh Johnson (Miami, Fla.) had 11 stops, including one on a penalty shot.

“I think it was a good team effort and I’m just really excited to keep playing with my teammates,” Makenzie Fischer said. “Really, just taking in the Olympic environment and loving every second.”

The Fischer sisters were victorious in their first Olympic Games competition.

“Playing in that first game was great,” Aria Fischer said. “There was a great energy in the pool and we really just had fun out there.

“The win was great, but we are looking to improve each game going forward.”

U.S. women’s Coach Adam Krikorian rejoined the team in Rio on Monday following the Aug. 3 death of his brother, Blake Krikorian.

“The team’s support has been everything to me, I love them to death,” Adam Krikorian said in a press release statement. “I told them last night that sometimes the player-coach relationship is a little bit awkward. I can be tough at times but deep down I love them all and I know they have love and respect for me as well. Their spirits really lifted me up.”

Team USA returned to action Thursday and faced China in group play. Nearly repeating its score two days earlier against Spain, the U.S. controlled a 12-4 victory. Makenzie Fischer scored once and the top-ranked team in the world received four goals each from Maddie Musselman (Corona del Mar High) and Maggie Steffens (Danville, Calif.).

The U.S. takes on Hungary at 9 a.m. (PT) Saturday in the final group play game for both teams. Hungary outscored China, 13-11, in an opening group play game, but was edged, 11-10, by Spain on Tuesday.