Canada beats New Zealand and earns a second win at the FINA World Cup
Water Polo Canada – (Surgut, Russia, September 5, 2018) – The Canadian women are undefeated after two games at the 2018 FINA Women’s Water Polo World Cup in Surgut, Russia. A convincing second half helped the Canadians record an 11-4 win against New Zealand in their second match of the preliminary round.
Both teams exchanged opportunities in the opening minutes of the game. Emma Wright fired one halfway through the first period to open the scoring for Canada. New Zealand evened the score moments later with a converted penalty shot.
Kelly McKee tallied one from the left side to give Canada the lead at the beginning of the second quarter. New Zealand found the equalizer on the power play with 5:48 on the clock. Elyse Lemay-Lavoie scored twice for the Canadian squad, dominating in the center to give her team a 4-2 lead. Emily Nicholson netted one on the power play to put New Zealand within one at the end of the first half.
The Canadians capitalized on their extra-man opportunities in the third quarter. Wright tallied one at 4:15 just to see Kindred Paul score a minute later to give Canada a 6-3 lead. Wright netted her third goal of the match on a penalty shot while Paul found the back of the net with a beautiful long-range shot to put Canada in front 8-3 at the end of the third quarter.
The Canucks picked up where they left off in the fourth quarter, Lemay-Lavoie completed her hat-trick with a great backhand shot from center to give Canada a six-goal lead. The Kiwis took advantage of their power play to put the score at 9-4. A double from Monika Eggens in the last minutes of the game helped Canada earn an 11-4 win.
With a 2-0-0 record, the Canadian women’s team will face the United States tomorrow (Sept.6) for the top spot in Group B. The game is scheduled at 18:00 local / 9:00 EST. Live stream is available on FINA TV .
Summary
CAN 11 – 4 NZL (1-1, 3-2, 4-0, 3-1)
Goals: Emma Wright (3), Elyse Lemay-Lavoie (3), Kindred Paul (2), Monika Eggens (2), Kelly McKee
GK: Clara Vulpisi
MVP (named by FINA): Elyse Lemay-Lavoie
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Information:
Mylène Turcotte-Fitzgerald
Communication and Domestic Operations Coordinator, Water Polo Canada
Tel: 613-748-5682 ext. 325 | 819-639-6414